Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I support Senator Boyle's comments that we are having our daily dose of economic debate and analysis. It is time we moved on from analysis to a prescribed solution. Unfortunately, all of us seem unwilling to begin to address the economic reality. Nothing is more removed from the economic reality than the proposed day of action and the proposed strike. Therefore, I very much support Senator Mullen's call that we urgently debate No. 34, motion 26, so Senators can outline their views on the grave damage which would be inflicted on this country by so-called days of action and strikes. Most of us have been alive and in politics long enough to know that this economic lunacy which was prescribed in the 1970s and 1980s in both Ireland and Britain created no solutions but rather economic ruin. We do not want to visit it on the people again. We must talk in blunt terms and move beyond the glib debate to start discussing economic truths and reality.

It is almost two years since Senator Harris became the first Member of the Oireachtas to analyse the problems of public sector reform. This was not an attack by the Senator or anyone else on public servants but was simply a method of outlining the economic crisis and indicating that the public sector needed to be reformed urgently. The public sector is funded by taxpayers, by every citizen of the State. It has gone over the top with regard to expenses and we need to start prescribing solutions.

I refer to Senator Hannigan's comments about the national jobs council not having held meetings. I concede my ignorance in that I have never heard of the council. The Cabinet and the Government should act as a national jobs council; therefore, I am not concerned whether the council has met, as it is another body, another quango. The Cabinet and the political system need to be our national jobs council. The House needs to be proactive in this regard.

I appeal to the Leader to take motion No. 34. We will be remiss in our duty as elected Members of the Oireachtas if we are not willing to speak clearly on so-called days of action and national strikes. I call them days of ruination.