Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Has there been engagement with ICTU on its ten point plan? If there has not been such engagement, how can the Government seriously or plausibly ask for support across the political spectrum? It certainly cannot be delivered upon. In supporting this amendment, I consider the issue that has been raised by Senator Alex White and others to be absolutely correct. If there is honesty in this regard, there should be no difficulty in doing what he asks. If this matter were to be considered properly and correctly, progress could be made and people could be brought together.

It is a question of fairness. I also received the heart-rending e-mail referred to by Senator Norris. It was only one of dozens we have received in the past month from people opening their hearts to us, not with bitterness but with utter anxiety and fear. These are precisely the same emotions being experienced by those in the private sector who have had to endure income reductions and are uncertain of the security of their employment.

What saddens me desperately about this legislation is that there is no attempt to guarantee private sector pensions. Workers in Waterford Crystal have spent 35 or 40 years paying diligently and responsibly into a pension fund.