John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I ask the Leader for a debate on social partnership and competitiveness. I am especially conscious that in 1945, Germany had been devastated by the war but within five to seven years, the people had improved their standard of living beyond recognition and had worked together to ensure their nation arose from the ashes. We are a long way from anything similar to that but I have no doubt a similar spirit is needed.

In light of the fact that threatened strikes will go ahead, it is time this House debated the realities. All income raised from revenue for this year will be spent on only two Departments, namely, the Department of Health and Children and the Department of Social and Family Affairs. This leaves a very serious deficit. The only type of safe job is a competitive one and we need to ensure all our jobs are competitive. We need to look again at becoming competitive in whatever we do in the world. With that in mind, I request the Leader to allow a debate on those issues to continue to ensure the people say that fairness and equity will be introduced at every level by this Government.