Jim Higgins (Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Sustaining Progress programme. There is no doubt that partnership agreements have been one of the cornerstones of the recovery of this country's economy, particularly since the dark days when it languished as one of the worst and most under-performing in the EU. The coming together of the social partners in order to work out a common economic and social platform and programme over a fixed timescale has undoubtedly provided stability and growth.