Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I could not agree more. This is the third day this week that I have raised this issue. I raised it in the context of full engagement with the State and including political traction. If the Government is putting together a strategy to claw our way out of a recession, it is not enough to include the people and the social partners because there must also be positive political traction to drive it.

I support the engagement of the social partners. I understand this week's meeting was very positive but that is not enough. The idea that elected public representatives in the Dáil and Seanad are not engaged in this process, are not invited into this process, are neither consulted nor asked for their views is beyond imagination. I do not know what the Government is thinking. I welcome the Government's document, Building Ireland's Smart Economy: A Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal. Those of us on this side of the House have been asking for such action. Even if I do not agree with the document when I read it, I still welcome it because it gives us direction and leadership. However, this will be launched today on the 6 p.m. news. The leaders of the other parties, if they are legitimately opposed in their response to it, have a duty to point out the flaws because that is their job, whereas if they had been invited in and had some influence on its development, we would have a different proposal. I do not see the sense in it. I cannot see where we are going and I do not see the plan. It bothers me because if we get the first step wrong, it is difficult to see where we go then.

I appeal to the Leader to bring this plan into the House this afternoon as soon as it is announced. I suggest we are given 20 minutes to read the document and then we will offer our views on what it contains and what should be in it.