Larry Butler (Fianna Fail)

Social partnership has served us extremely well over the years. I have listened to various comments from the social partners that things are not going too well in that process. When we have a recession or a downturn in the economy it is important to get agreement with the social partners. I support the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Hanafin. The unions have an obligation to protect people on low wages, people who have old-age pensions and single people living very close to the poverty line. We have made considerable improvements in these areas. The Minister has said that these people will be protected. However, the unions have an obligation to secure a partnership agreement at this time. Senator O'Toole said that benchmarking was a cash cow and an ATM.