Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Minister of State, on behalf of the Government, said they were waiting for new ideas to come in from the trade unions. Is that true or not? While it is in order for trade unions and their representatives to negotiate with the Government, it is the Government's responsibility to make decisions. However, the Government is paralysed by an inability to make any decision. There is no confidence, no morale and a wave of depression throughout the country because the Government has no fix on the future. It appears completely unable to act. Has the Government set a deadline for the current discussions with trade union representatives to conclude today, tomorrow, at the weekend or on Monday, so that there will be some certainty about what the Government will present on 9 December? This is very important for everybody in the country and for our economic well-being. It is time to stop messing around.

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