Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

I welcome this debate, a crucial part of which is getting Houses that are as full as possible. This is an area in which I have a significant interest, having been very privileged to be Minister of State with responsibility for labour affairs some years ago. In that role I got to know many of the parties in the partnership process. I echo the words of Senator Ryan, who has rightly commented on some commentators who chip away and are inclined to continually criticise those involved in the partnership process on the basis that they are involved in some sort of elitist process as if those who walk through the gates of Government Buildings feel elitist or act in an elitist way, which is not true.

Those I know from all sides, in particular those from the trade union movement who have given enlightened leadership over many years, are involved because they are very tough and good negotiators. They give much of their time for the betterment of their own particular sectors and more importantly for the betterment of the nation and our people, which this debate has reflected. We should applaud those involved from all sides who represent various sectors.

We have strayed somewhat from the amendment. I cannot go any further except to say that very legitimate points have been made about the need for greater involvement of Oireachtas Members. For a period in the past I was involved in the NESF, which does tremendous work. Some suggestions have been made about the committee process. I cannot give any commitments other than to say that as Chief Whip working with the Opposition Senators' colleagues I will consider the committee structure. I cannot give a commitment except to say that we will look at it under the umbrella of the process of Dáil and Seanad reform.

I echo some of comments of Senator O'Toole who asked whether we need this amendment to deal with many of the issues raised. For example, I have responsibility for the CSO and today I answered parliamentary questions on the figures released today on employment and how many non-Irish nationals now form part of our workforce. I believe the workforce has increased by approximately 90,000, of which 50,000 are non-Irish nationals. While I have not done so, others have raised issues regarding possible displacement, which are legitimate issues for debate. Extensive information is available from the CSO reports. I arranged for a debate in the past on one such report on the household survey and the economy. Those reports contain issues central to social partnership debates and there are huge opportunities for us as Members of these Houses to debate such basic issues.

This morning on the Order of Business, the Tánaiste gave a commitment to a debate on decentralisation, which has obviously also become part and parcel of the partnership process. There are many opportunities for both Houses to debate these issues, not for the sake of debating them, but because at a given time they are very important issues that form part of the partnership negotiations. We should be able to arrange to do that without putting it into a legislative process.

I can go no further except to say that I hold my position. I am more than open to looking at other options, working closely with colleagues in this House to see whether we can deal with the case made by Opposition Members for greater involvement of Oireachtas Members. There are huge opportunities to hold debates here and in the other House on all these issues. Partnership has become a very wide area of dialogue with many issues. Today the CSO also released new figures on child care. These issues are central to the negotiations and both Houses should have an opportunity to debate them when they see fit.