I wish to address briefly the issue of democracy in the partnership process. The Government is part of social partnership and should report more often to one or both of the Houses or a joint committee on progress being made in negotiations. All the other parties to the negotiations do this. The trade union leadership must seek the approval of its members, representatives of the farming organisations must consult their members which, as the Minister of State will be aware, they do not do quietly, while IBEC and the employers representatives also consult their members. There is, therefore, no reason the Government side should not report to the Houses on progress and the objectives it hopes to achieve. This would ensure that all concerned would at least buy into those objectives.