Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Senator Fitzgerald should be heeded and the necessary arrangements should be made for next week.

When people raise the current electricians' strike, we should insist they have an idea what they are talking about. Yesterday some people talked about an electrical contractors' strike while others spoke about the need for the union to resolve the issue. We must be serious and look at this in the context of what the Pope said about the economic system. With so many people talking about economic lunacy, for someone living on €40,000 a year, who had an expectation of an extra 11%, to be told that not only will he not get that, but 10% will be taken from him before negotiations start, that is economic lunacy and financial disaster for that family. I would like people to keep that in mind.

These people are not trying to bring down the Government or undermine the economy, they are trying to earn a living and to act honestly. I feel for my wallet when I hear people talking about seeking courage and leadership from the trade union movement. The trade union movement will not be found wanting in courage and leadership if it can find honesty and integrity on the other side of the table. I came from a background where business was done on a handshake and a bond, and people stuck with that. Their word was their bond and they would die for it. That day could be upon us once more.

I was thinking about that when I was reading the Pope's remarks. He pointed out that too much of business now is answerable only to investors. This and other issues weaken companies' sense of responsibility towards stakeholders - workers, suppliers, consumers, the natural environment and general society. People should bear that in mind when they talk about this strike. These are not lunatic revolutionary communists trying to undermine the Irish economy, they are trying to act honourably to observe an agreement and work properly.

Not everyone who spoke yesterday was misleading. Senator John Hanafin took a very balanced view, but others did not know what they were talking about when there is a need for balance in a discussion of this nature.