Joe O'Toole (Independent)

This is an important move forward but it is incumbent on us to consider the next step. The points raised by Senator Fitzgerald are extremely important. However, I wish to provide another perspective. The debates that will take place in the Seanad in respect of the economy etc., will revolve around Ireland Inc. However, those that will take place between the Government and the social partners will relate to the Irish people. This House has not engaged in the type of wide-ranging debates on social justice, inequality etc., that one would have expected. There are certain individuals who raise such matters on a regular basis, but there is no engagement in respect of them. However, the debates that will take place within the social partnership framework will focus on matters such as fairness, certain elements of taxation, social justice and so on.

If the proposed national strike is, as expected, called off, let no one be under the illusion that this will have happened on foot of what is happening to the economy. Those who will be responsible for calling off the strike do not trust the people who are in charge of the economy. They are of the view that, like everyone else, they have been booted by the latter. Let us not believe that this is the end of something; it is rather the beginning of something. We have an opportunity to clear out the individuals responsible for placing us in the mess in which we find ourselves and to move forward. In that context, I agree with Senator Fitzgerald that we should discuss this matter on a step-by-step basis.

In my experience, it is not the case that the Government makes available to the social partners information which is not made available to everybody else. However, the documents which contain such information are not exciting; they are comprised of dull CSO figures, economic indicators and views expressed by the Department of Finance. When such documents are circulated, how many Members will read and discuss them? Under the Constitution, the Government may not make available to Opposition parties any budgetary documentation because to do so would result in a breach of Cabinet confidentiality. There will not be a debate on the budget. Rather, we will engage in a debate on the views of particular people that will inform the budget. There will be a great opportunity for Members to engage in such a debate tomorrow and I look forward to that.

It is time the House debated third level fees.