Paschal Donohoe (Fine Gael)

Will the Leader organise a broad debate to sum up the many different discussions and themes in which we have engaged in recent months? I ask him to organise a debate entitled Ireland 2016. We are approaching a historic anniversary and the Leader should provide a forum that will allow Members to articulate the type of country and society we want when we reach that point.

I am convinced our country will get through the difficulties it is facing and that our finest days lie ahead. However, we should take a look at other countries that have got through similar difficulties — for example, Sweden and how it managed its economy and society in the 1990s. One thing Sweden had that we lack was a collective vision regarding what the country would be like at the end of its journey. This meant that people asked to make a sacrifice could see a gain in the future or see how others were making a similar sacrifice.

The Oireachtas could provide an important discipline for generating that vision. We face a future that will involve lower public spending, higher taxation and higher unemployment. If the country is to get through that, it must have a collective vision of a successful future. This Chamber could provide a superb forum that allows all of us to contribute to that.

I will conclude by commenting, like my colleagues, on the tough experience many of us had this morning in walking through the pickets. I believe my role is best served in trying to provide a solution to the issues in here rather than outside. It is great to see so many others make this same point this morning.