Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

I thank Senators for their contributions, which, in the main, were complimentary in accepting the great progress made under the partnership system. This is the sixth such agreement.

Senator Higgins raised the issue of job losses, but ours is still the second lowest unemployment rate in Europe. As Senator Mansergh said, there are some good news stories in this regard and I was happy to be associated with one. A good friend of mine, Gerry McCaughey of Century Homes, announced over 300 jobs last week, some of them in my constituency. We hope we can turn the corner in this situation though we cannot be complacent.

Senator O'Toole was quite complimentary about the agreement, perhaps because he was on the winning side. He was very complimentary about the Civil Service and I echo his comments. My past experience has been on the other side, lobbying at negotiating meetings. Nobody ever declares full satisfaction—