Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I welcome the robust debate we have been having on the economy. We require much more time to deal with all the issues that have been raised by so many of my colleagues.

I am taken by the call of my colleagues on the other side of the House for more suggestions, ideas and assistance from the Opposition. This represents a dramatic turnaround over the past 15 to 18 months because, in the run-up to the last general election, Fianna Fáil presented itself as the only political party with the magic formula for running the country and keeping the economy in shape. Scorn was poured on all the Opposition parties in the belief that they were bereft of ideas and had incorrect policies. We now know the presentation by Fianna Fáil was very much out of touch.

We need a much more substantial debate on economic issues. Arising from last week's debate, educational interests are rightly up in arms and the elderly are deeply concerned. Farming organisations feel the threat to rural Ireland is very grave. Most of these groups have been represented over the past ten to 15 years in the partnership process. However, many individuals, particularly my colleagues, have made the point that the partnership debate has almost totally excluded Oireachtas Members. Some of those who are now demanding urgent public meetings with the Government to discuss many of the economic issues facing the country have been involved in the partnership process. Perhaps they have been hoodwinked by the Government. We are on the verge of agreeing a new so-called partnership agreement, yet the elderly and those in agriculture and the education sector are facing grave problems. Where is the partnership process now?

We need greater Oireachtas input into economic debate, certainly in the short term, because last week's budget is unravelling by the day. We had statements in the House last week but in the course of the next two to three weeks, the debate in this House must concentrate on economic issues. Our party spokesperson, Deputy Richard Bruton, put forward a substantial document in advance of the budget, Recovery through Reform — A Budget Perspective. That is on the table. The Labour Party presented certain proposals also so there is no shortage of ideas on this side of the House, but it is not our responsibility to have all the answers, and we certainly are not responsible for the financial mess in which the country now finds itself. That is solely as a result of Government action and inaction in the past 12 years.