Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

Social partnership was conducted in good faith over 22 years. It is regrettable but understandable that we have not been able to reach agreement, and I understand how difficult it is for trade union leaders to concede things they have painfully negotiated over a period of time, but the logic of eurozone membership is that if we lose competitiveness we have to adjust downward cost and incomes. That is the only way that will save jobs.

As the Minister said in his contribution, excluding the lower paid earning under €30,000, most of whom would not be subject to tax if married or with children, unless single and barring levies, that would, at €500 million, cost half the saving required and that is not practicable. We must show the outside world our ability to take and stick with reasonably tough decisions-----

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