Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I support Senator Hanafin's call for the restoration of the social partnership process, an issue I also raised yesterday. Social partnership has served us well in the past, in particular in the 1980s when we had massive economic difficulties, worsened by unemployment and mass emigration. I support the call for the restoration of the social partnership process, not least to bring everybody on board and to find a fair and balanced way forward. Rather than dump the economic crisis on the backs of public sector workers, in particular low earners, we should go after others to ensure they pay their fair share.

In an effort to restore confidence not alone in the political system but in the banking system, it is important the Government takes the lead and, if possible, identifies the ten people involved in the controversy at Anglo Irish Bank. It is important in these straitened times, when people are expected to put their shoulders to the wheel, that there is some element of credibility at the highest level in society, including in the banking system. People need to have confidence in the banking and political systems at this difficult time. I ask that the Leader request his colleagues in Government to ensure there is as much transparency as possible in regard to this issue, and that involves naming the ten people involved in the controversy at Anglo Irish Bank.