Joe O'Toole (Independent)

It is a direct result of the uncertainty about figures and objectives referred to by Senator Fitzgerald. The Government must explain to the social partners what it is doing, what its objective is and what the problem is.

This industrial action is unusual. It reflects anger and uncertainty among workers across the country. It is different from industrial action that seeks to reverse a Government decision or change a policy position, it relates to people not feeling part of the decisions made by the Government. ICTU tried to put forward a ten point plan that it could use to engage with the Government — even Senator Butler on the Government side said it should be discussed. This must be done and I appeal at the eleventh hour to the Government to engage with ICTU and the social partners to clear the way so this strike does not go ahead.

No one at leadership level in the trade union wants the strike. It is a response from people to the way they have been treated. The social partners need something they can champion and explain to their members and we will then be able to move forward, united as a society. That is the objective and the Government has the opportunity to do it. It is easier to prevent this difficulty now than to pick up the pieces afterwards. Rather than look at what might happen next Monday during the strike, we should focus on preventing it. The leadership of the trade union movement has a clear view that this can and should be prevented with movement by Government to demonstrate its objectives.

The first item on today's Order of Business is referral to committee of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations proposal. That should not be in front of us and we should not be referring it to committee. In last year's budget, there was a provision for the introduction of a betting tax that was deferred until 1 May. Because that tax has not been introduced, the Government and the taxpayer must now find the money to fund this industry. I support the industry but, as Horse Racing Ireland believes, it should be funded through taxation at bookmakers rather than by the general taxpayer. We are funding huge betting companies that are avoiding tax by lodging money in places such as the Isle of Man. That tax should be imposed now, as proposed in the budget, and we should introduce legislation to prevent tax avoidance in the gambling industry. I do not say this from a puritan viewpoint but from an economic viewpoint. It is another example of the lack of Government planning.