Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I hesitate to challenge the new alliance of Senator O'Toole and Pope Benedict. Senator O'Toole, however, raised a pertinent issue on which that we must reflect. We all welcome the fact that there appears to be a ray of hope and some progress in the strike. Once talks start we hope progress will be made.

Senator O'Toole's perspective is valid in the sense that the electricians had a certain expectation of an increase, but, unfortunately, the economic situation has changed so dramatically that there is now a new economic order. This House must offer political leadership in this area. Over the course of the forthcoming session from September onwards we should have a series of engagements in the House with the social partners. We complain from time to time that social partnership has removed politicians from the talks and decision-making process. During the last Seanad we engaged successfully on a frequent basis with our MEPs. It would be useful to have presentations from the social partners in the House in which they would present their points of view and if we feel their analyses are flawed we can engage in constructive and robust debate. We must all accept the new economic realities but we must listen as much as lecture. It would be helpful if, rather than complaining about being removed from dialogue in social partnership, we used the Houses of the Oireachtas to engage directly with the various leaders of the social partners. In this way we can try to be part of the solution rather than shouting from the sidelines.