Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I support Senator O'Toole's request for a mid-term debate on the wage agreement element of the social partnership. He is right that, despite a great deal of scepticism, the last agreement has succeeded in bringing to below 2% an inflation rate that had touched7%. That is a great tribute to all concerned. We are now facing new inflationary pressures so we need to watch the position carefully. If anyone is worried about excessive neo-liberalism, social partnership is the greatest bulwark against it.

I support what Senator Leyden and Senator Finucane said about undocumented Irish in the United States. However, I would like to say something that is uncomfortable for me and for all of us — we need to think with compassion about the situation of undocumented asylum seekers in this country.