Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I am glad the Government has taken on board the points Senator MacSharry and I have been making here in recent weeks about the importance of getting the social partners around the table in Government Buildings. It is important to recognise what is going on. I know that Members on this and the opposite side of the House will be disappointed by talk of strike action and agitation, etc. but I would like them to recognise that when they walked into the meeting two days ago, IBEC, the representatives of the six banks and all the others who had created the mess in which the country finds itself sat down at the table and, at a time when we all agree we must make our contribution, looked across at the workers and trade unionists and the representatives of the community and voluntary pillar and told the representatives of the community and voluntary pillar that they were living on social welfare and that they should take cuts. They then told workers, those in the public sector in particular, that they should also take cuts. It may be necessary to do this but I want people to understand that those who created this crisis and were funded by the six banks have made no offer to come up to the plate and do their bit. One can understand, therefore, the frustration of the trade union leadership and workers. They had nothing to do with creating the problem but are already paying the price. They are now being asked to pay even more. I am merely asking that people understand this fact. We will see what happens next month. It is my fervent wish that there will not be any strikes. However, I hope pressure will be exerted on IBEC and the people it represents to step up to the plate. As well as apologising for what they did, I hope they will also indicate what more they can do.