Joe O'Toole (Independent)

It is unfortunate that the talks involving the social partners did not reach a satisfactory conclusion last night. It is also important, as Senator Fitzgerald remarked, that we discuss this matter. I have put the suggestion to the Leader, who has some difficulty with it. We must recognise that there are 2 million in the workforce, 300,000 are unemployed and 300,000 working in the public sector. That leaves 1.3 million people working in the private sector. Most of those are not on high salaries, although probably half are. It does not matter whether they are up or down, there are certain things we must recognise.

The majority of the public sector earn less than €60,000 per year. The union leadership found itself in a situation last night where it was asked to propose to union members that money be taken from people earning €30,000, €40,000, €50,000 and upwards per year to pay the banks, which continue to be run by the same people who caused the problems in the first place and who earn multi-million dollar annual packages. This will lead to social and industrial unrest. No leadership could propose that with a straight face to any group of people. I ask my colleagues on the Government side of the House to consider what we witnessed with the medical card proposal and other proposals. That was simply a matinee performance compared with what will occur. We have already witnessed social and industrial unrest in Greece, Iceland and in France last week and it is increasing. People are ready to make a commitment and are ready to take the pain, but it must be equitable.