Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, Coghlan, Butler, Donohoe, Regan, Callely, Norris, Ó Murchú, Healy Eames and Buttimer expressed their views on the national pay talks. I think I can speak for everyone in the House when I send our best wishes to the ICTU this morning and hope it will be back in the talks this afternoon. Since 1987 social partnership has been the most successful vehicle in ensuring the national interest. How we negotiate, no matter how the difficult the times may be, has made us an example to Europe and the world. Social partnership has always been in the interests of the Irish people and businesses, especially small enterprises, family-run businesses, the employed and those trying to keep jobs going in difficult circumstances.