Larry Butler (Fianna Fail)

I appeal to the social partners and the unions to call off the absolute madness that is proposed. They cannot even get two thirds majority support for it in the unions. If necessary, they should be injuncted to ensure that the regulations and rules are adhered to. I have long been a supporter of the social partnership. It has been an important part of the social structure in recent years. It is right to have a social partnership but it is not right that the social partners should dictate to the Government how budgets should be structured. That is the job of the public representatives in both Houses.

I support my colleague, Senator Ó Murchú, who gave a fine definition of what we should do and the responsibility of the trade unions. Indeed, Senator Regan made a fine contribution today to common sense, which should——