Joe O'Toole (Independent)

As somebody who spends a great deal of his time involved in negotiations, I have always felt that timing is important. I would appreciate if the Leader could convey her personal congratulations to the leader of the Fine Gael Party in this House on his extraordinarily excellent timing in tabling the motion on Connacht rugby last week rather than this week. The choice of motion was courageous and effective. I congratulate my Fine Gael colleagues and I welcome the fact that the motion received all-party support. Given that Fine Gael was so successful with its motion regarding Connacht rugby, may I ask it to turn its attention to solving the problems in Iraq?

Senator Brian Hayes mentioned the health report, which will have implications for taxpayers and the health services. I firmly believe that the publication of the report will be the biggest news story of the year and I appeal to Members on all sides to address the matter in a non-party political way. The report's recommendations will be revolutionary and a fresh and creative approach will be needed if they are going to work. I am concerned that politicians on all sides will dig in to protect structures that we have criticised for so long. We need to operate creatively and differently as we move forward and nobody should be allowed to speak in partisan terms on this issue. Perhaps the House will need to invite people other than the two Ministers to speak here. I suggest that officials from the commission be invited to address the issue.

Negotiations on a new national pay agreement are close to a conclusion. It would be appropriate to debate this matter in the House, even before the deal is adopted or otherwise. Some things remain to be done and people have an opportunity to be creative at a time when the country faces economic and financial difficulties. I would welcome a debate on the matter.

I would also like to bring to the attention of the House, in deference to the conscience of those who feel it is beyond them to accept the rate they are offered for their jobs, the fact the legislation was amended some years ago to allow people to opt out of the benchmarking awards they are offered. Those who feel they are not entitled to accept, do not want to accept or cannot accept the pay awards that will flow to them from the benchmarking agreement can be at ease. I appreciate that Members are entitled to say that they do not agree with pay awards, but on the next occasion they make such criticisms it would be helpful if they would also make clear that they do not intend to accept them.