Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the measured and positive response from the Opposition to the news about the economy. We should not ignore this but use it as a base on which to build not just for the coming weeks but also in the coming days. We should listen carefully to what was said here. While the social partners may not be on board formally, they are in spirit. It is quite clear in the contributions from the unions and the employers that they realise we need partnership. Their concern, which might be a matter of timing, is that they might find it difficult to avoid fragmentation within their own groups if they had to do the initial selling of it. This is a totally different situation from that which existed years ago and brought about industrial unrest. We must therefore be measured in what we say to make sure that we keep all the partners on board in the coming days.

This House has an important role to play in these discussions. The Leader of Fine Gael, Deputy Enda Kenny, said that he was prepared to lay aside other items which should be discussed today in order to focus fully on the economy. There will be certain parameters and time-scales to which it will be difficult to respond but all of that is a step in the right direction. Only with that type of united approach and respect for each person's opinion can we hope to make progress. The bottom line will have to be those who are most vulnerable in society. That includes those who are suffering because they have lost their jobs, those who cannot pay mortgages and so on. Whether we have to bring the banks into line regarding the repayment of mortgages, or whatever, everything must be part of a recovery plan. I think this will unfold in the next few days.