Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I was at the ICTU march last Friday and, thankfully, I did not see any fighting or squabbling between public and private sector workers. Instead, I saw a unity of purpose among workers in standing up to the Government's attempts to introduce a fourth pay cut for public sector workers in the forthcoming budget.

There are many organisations preparing pre-budget submissions and I want to raise that of Social Justice Ireland. It proposed the abolition of Bord Iascaigh Mhara, BIM, a highly unfair suggestion. Social Justice Ireland looks out for the poor yet there are poor people living in coastal communities who depend on marine activity and BIM to promote Irish seafood as an international quality brand. Abolishing BIM would affect rural coastal communities and the least well-off in them.

I support Senator Harris's call for specialised debates on the recession. There is a wide range of expertise in the House with Members coming from many varied backgrounds. The Seanad has a unique opportunity to show the lead in how it can respond to this through debates on marine activity, sport and the many other specialisms Members have. I agree with Senator Alex White that we do not need a Minister to sit down in the Chamber, take a few notes, leave and be replaced by a Minister of State, simply paying lip-service to the debates in the House. Those who argue for the abolition of this House would be glad to see the status quo remain. I believe, instead, the House must be radical and show the lead.