Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Can the Taoiseach refer to reports that the Government is considering a new structure of social partnership? In what format does the Taoiseach see it? Will a greater number of community sectors be involved? Will the Oireachtas have any role or responsibility? Is it not a weakness in the current system that the Oireachtas has been left out of the framework?

Deputy Gilmore spoke about the issue of bank lending and credit. Fine Gael supported the guarantee scheme and the recapitalisation programme, but it has not worked to the extent that people wanted. The problem appears to be that people in business for 40 years and who have been good customers to their banks see that their reputation now counts for nothing when it comes to overdraft facilities. The real problem is that the local bank managers are now unable to make decisions, and that those who make decisions will not discuss with business people the question of making facilities available. In most cases, none of those decision makers have ever created a job in the first place.

Arising out of the fears of social partnership, what is the Government's approach towards retaining jobs? The first problem of every small firm is how to retain existing jobs. What is the Government's strategy to attempt to hold onto jobs we already have? Will there be some sort of loan guarantee scheme, a subsidy towards the jobs or a reduction of PRSI or whatever, given the exceptional economic circumstances in which we find ourselves?

The unions made the point yesterday that if there is no agreement on social partnership, the Government will be facing a period of industrial unrest. Is the Government cognisant of that? What sort of discussions is it having with the social partners so that the country to a complete standstill. I am sure the Taoiseach is as concerned about this as everybody else. What sort of strategy will the Government adopt towards that possibility, which nobody would like to see happen?

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