Shane Ross (Independent)

I am suspicious of the consensus on this issue because so many people, including Charlie McCreevy, John Bruton and others had been sceptical of social partnership until they got into Government. It seems that people change their minds when they get into Government and I suspect it is a convenient tool for Government but not necessarily a good one for the country.

What has been sincerely expressed by many on this issue, including Senator Mansergh, perpetuates the myths on which social partnership is built. These myths, by definition, cannot be proven. One such myth ran through the speeches of almost everyone in this House as, unsupported by evidence, speaker after speaker claimed social partnership is responsible, or partly responsible, for our economic success. There is no evidence whatsoever to prove that is the truth. There are plenty of coincidental economic events which happened at the same time but the connection is impossible to prove. It is completely and utterly foolish to say that because this happened from 1987 onwards that it is responsible for our economic success.