Dan Boyle (Green Party)

In support of the calls made by other Senators, I ask the Leader to renew his efforts to arrange a special debate or series of debates on social partnership. This might require the assistance of the Cathaoirleach in his role as a member of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges with regard to how the House might interact with representatives of the various social partnership bodies. It is clear social partnership has a useful function and that consensus has been useful in helping to shape the economy. However, it should never be taken as a decision making body. Decisions are the responsibility of the Government and it is the responsibility of this House and the Dáil to ensure its accountability. For those participating in the social partnership process to presume it is otherwise is a negation of democracy.

I find it somewhat ironic that we have been judged by an agency such as Moody's, the rating agency which has contributed to much of the international economic uncertainty in recent times. The ultimate irony is that if such a ratings agency was concerned about the lack of democracy in this country, it would change our ratings positively if we were to subsume our economic independence and have these decisions made by a body such as the International Monetary Fund. Therefore, that lack of philosophical consistency is not something to which we should pay too much attention. However, we certainly need to define our democratic ideals and it is important to ensure we follow through properly on them. It is time for the House to have a critical engagement with and examination of the social partnership process that would benefit both the House and the country, in general.