Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

Watching those programmes one can see some of the industrial flashpoints that existed back in that period. It puts in context the situation from which we have come. In other words, once cannot really talk on this subject without looking back to see what it was like in the past when the weaker sections of society suffered most from that position. I often think of what the Welsh miners suffered. It did not matter one iota what leadership they had or how much they protested because at the end of the day they lost the battle. It was as simple as that.

That was also true of Irish workers over the years — they could protest but they suffered during such protests. One need only look at "Strumpet City" to remember exactly what it was like, including the great lockout of 1913. It does not matter what period of history one chooses, prior to the new development of social partnership, inevitably it was mothers at home who suffered when there was no strike pay. It also meant that wealth was not being created in order to provide jobs. In fact, people were in a cul-de-sac where the weak got weaker. The opportunities for helping those who were weaker did not exist at that time.

The more I have come to study our social partnership, the more I realise that it must be unique in the world. Above all else, the two main elements it required initially were leadership and diplomacy — leadership that believed one could bring diverse elements together who, in a way, had established a method of operation over the decades, if not over the centuries. Social partnership tried to change the thinking not just of the leaders of diverse groups but also of the followers who had to be convinced as well. There is no doubt that the necessary leadership qualities had to be there.

Diplomacy was vital as well. I can only imagine what it must have been like in some of those initial talks to get two sides coming from diverse positions to believe that it was in both their interests to participate in the new evolution which was talking place. That diplomacy held very solidly. We will not know most of it but I can imagine how often people packed their bags and went home, only to be recalled to meetings later. That was in the initial stages.

I can also imagine what must have happened during this year's talks. We should not be disappointed that the negotiations took so long. In a way, I was glad of that because it meant that every single element was being teased out. It also meant that there were bigger issues involved than wages. It was important that social and other issues became part of the discussions. There are many strands to this complex process which was navigating uncharted waters. I am glad that time was taken to work on those issues. It will pay dividends for us at the end of the day.

Other speakers have mentioned productivity and what has been achieved is beyond question. We take it for granted that Ireland is now one of the most developed countries in the world with one of the most vibrant work forces and buoyant economies one could expect to have. How do we think it happened? It certainly would not have happened with the old system. The results are quite evident and everybody seems to be benefiting. It does not mean that some have benefited less or that some outstanding issues do not remain to be examined. However, one of the greatest things that happened is that we had the confidence to plan ten years ahead. We should contemplate for a moment what was happening 20 or 30 years ago when one would not even have planned six or 12 months ahead. In recent times, however, we have had the professionalism and competence to plan ten years forward, which would not have been possible in the past. It is clear that we were building on something which was strong in itself.

We are living in such a highly competitive world that if we do not plan into the distant future, we will not be prepared. I often give credit to those working in education who looked after the IT needs of children when it was not centre stage globally. That was one of the reasons we were prepared.

I would pick out two Members in particular in this regard, Senator O'Toole and Senator Mansergh. Through the years, they were the anchor in the debate in the House on social partnership.