Paschal Donohoe (Fine Gael)

I support Senator Fitzgerald in her call for a debate on the discussions that are taking place with the social partners at the moment. I have three particular questions for the Leader. Why is the discussion looking for an agreement that will last for only year? We will ask everyone working in the economy to find €2 billion of tax increases or spending cuts. The figure for next year will be €4 billion, the figure after that is another €4 billion. One of the social partnership arrangements that was crucial to putting our country through — the Programme for National Recovery of 1987 — had a two-year tenure. Why are we looking for a one-year plan? One does not turn a business around in one year, nor a sporting club. Why do we think we will be able to turn our country around in fewer than 12 months? Why can we not be given the confidence of a multi-year plan?

Why are the banks not more prominently involved in these discussions? It is likely that we will pump billions of euro into the banks. As part of the discussion that is taking place, why are the banks not giving a deal to people who cannot pay their mortgages or are concerned about losing their homes? That is a vital element in a social solidarity pact that I hear discussed. That does not feature at all in the discussions taking place.

Why is the Taoiseach swanning off to the Davos forum in Switzerland later this week, at a time when the entire country is seeking leadership? It was the right thing for the Taoiseach to be in Japan a number of weeks ago. If this country is to recover, and it will, it will be done through exports. We must be competitive in Asia and we need to win there. Why does the Taoiseach need to swan off to a jamboree on the ski slopes of Switzerland, with luminaries such as Vladimir Putin and many of the banks responsible for the difficulties we are in as opposed to staying at home and providing the country with the leadership it requires?