Shane Ross (Independent)

I will not support it. I would particularly like a debate on what is called the anti-inflation package. It was produced today and is complete nonsense. No such package exists. Instead there is a series of promises and a group has been established comprising the social partners to examine inflation and make recommendations. This partnership document will be aspirational except for the pay deal and will be a fudge. It is important that the House should have an opportunity of exposing that and not just rubber-stamping it because power has moved from this House to the so-called social partners. We must be allowed to debate the agreement critically.

I agree with Senator O'Toole that there will be a dramatic change in the status of building societies which will have an effect on a large number of people. This is an important issue and it should be debated by the House before the legislation is published. I do not agree with Senator O'Toole that the mutual status of building societies will be threatened; I believe it will be protected. It is important, however, to many people with accounts in these societies throughout the land that this issue be debated in the House before the legislation is published, which I doubt will be for a year or two. We could have a real input into that legislation before it is written.