Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I join with Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole and Alex White in appealing to the Leader to have a debate today on both the economy and the talks with the social partners. Were the Leader to make a case for the abolition of the Seanad, by not having a debate, he would be doing so today. Members must be relevant and must have a voice on behalf of those who put them in here. By not having such a debate, Members are acquiescing in the Government's mishandling of events over the past six months. The Opposition has stated repeatedly that the process was wrong and that bypassing both Houses of the Oireachtas was a misstep and, unfortunately, this morning this view has been proven to be correct.

While I hope the Taoiseach has a plan to hand at 4 p.m. today, I greatly doubt it. Does he intend to re-engage with the social partners and what information is required? Where is it and why can Members not get it? Senators are democratically elected Members of this House and are here on the people's behalf. I appeal to the Leader to stop running, to take the bipartisanship that has been offered to him and to have the debate. He should consider the example of President Obama yesterday, who appealed to the Republican Party in the United States. Fine Gael appeals to the Leader, on behalf of the people, to put aside politics and to engage with it, because that party never has been found wanting regarding the economy, and Senator Fitzgerald has offered an olive branch to the Leader today. This issue is about people, mortgage holders, small businesses and public servants. It is also about the people in private industry who have been caught and were paid under the radar. Let us have a debate. If the Leader does not allow it, he should tell the House why. Do not give us spin.