Joe O'Toole (Independent)

The question asked by a number of people recently is how we square the circle between the social partners and the Government.

The Taoiseach and Deputy Bruton made some interesting comments over the past 24 hours in terms of showing that solutions can always be found if people are committed. The Taoiseach has obviously convinced the people with whom he is negotiating that €4 billion has to be collected one way or another. It is also clear that introducing certain reforms will not allow us to collect the money required on time and that the social partners are demanding fairness. How does one square that circle?

The Taoiseach has come up with the idea of bridging finance. I have no inside knowledge of the negotiations but I interpret his proposal to mean that certain changes, such as pay cuts, can be introduced until such time as broader arrangements can be made on producing savings. Similarly, Deputy Bruton pointed out that pay restraints and other impositions could be implemented until certain benchmarks are achieved. I make these points to demonstrate that when people sit around a table, they can always find solutions. I do not say that the options presented by the Taoiseach or Deputy Bruton will work in the long term or receive the support of all parties.