Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

If one wishes to see what this crisis looks like, I suggest one speaks to a young couple who have both lost their jobs and are faced with trying to repay a mortgage and then one will know what trauma means. If such a couple are listening to our debates and reading some of the headlines in the newspapers, they will know it is not realistic and it is not about achieving results.

To some extent, Senator O'Toole may have touched on the point of the very difficult negotiations under way with the social partners. We all know, no matter what we say, that there is no progress in this issue without social partnership. We have learned this from the past. However, one cannot negotiate through megaphone diplomacy because it does not work like that. We all know one must consider what is on the table and be prepared to compromise and look at the bottom figure on a balance sheet. We can have posturing and cosmetics but the unfortunate people who are suffering in the present crisis will not thank us for that approach.

It was particularly interesting to note that four or five days ago it seemed as if the negotiations had broken down. Over the weekend it was quite clear that we were back on track. I have no doubt that we will have an agreement in some shape or form. Those of us in a position to do so should commit ourselves to taking the pain on behalf of vulnerable people. I include myself in that position and I know that each person here will do likewise. I do not mind because otherwise we will not be happy with ourselves as individuals and neither will we be happy as a society if we do not do what is expected of us.

If the Taoiseach was passionate yesterday, then thank God he was. I do not think he meant to insult anyone——