Michael McCarthy (Labour)

Yes. With regard to the public sector strike, if we want lessons about social solidarity or pointers on how to get out of this economic crisis, we need not look to our colleagues in IBEC. Senator O'Toole stated correctly and consistently that the six largest members of IBEC brought us to the brink of economic collapse. It is a damned cheek for them to suggest people should lose medical cards and that the minimum wage is too high. IBEC represents the organisations that almost bankrupted this economy. It is not good enough for it to be lecturing at length to those on lower and middle incomes because these are the people who are suffering the most as the Government seeks to find solutions to the economic turmoil.

I hope the Leader will take my amendment in the spirit in which it is proposed.