Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

-----and destroying the miners' union. He advised the Irish trade union movement to act in a similar fashion, but I certainly hope it will not do so. We have reached a critical juncture in the lifetime of this nation. We are all aware of the economic picture before us and the considerable challenges we face, and co-operation rather than confrontation must be the way forward. I am deeply concerned about the possibility of a national day of protest or action, or whatever it may be called. It would not just devastate the economy for a day, it would certainly lose jobs and carve a broader division between all sectors of society. It is very irresponsible of anybody to believe that a day of action and national strikes will help solve the problem. It will simply add to the problem, as we have seen worldwide in recent decades. Common sense is certainly required. The economic formula will be very tough but we must get real and recognise the scale of the problem. As Senator O'Toole said, dialogue must be at the core of the solution.

This House could be very much part of the listening process. Within the Standing Orders and with the co-operation of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges for this House, we can validly use this House as a forum for listening, debating and putting forward ideas and solutions. In the very near future, the Leader and his colleagues need to put a mechanism in place so that we can use this House to be part of the economic debate, not just making statements but making actual suggestions, listening to ideas and, it is to be hoped, bringing forward partial solutions.