Feargal Quinn (Independent)

A number of us attended the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation event this morning to which Senator Fitzgerald and others referred. We were very impressed at the amount of work being done there and the level of active citizenship involved in such organisations. It focuses on the care of young children with severe disabilities who are not being looked after by the State - we do not expect the State to do everything. This is for young children only up to the age of four. Senator Norris asked what would happen if it managed to extend it to those up to the age of 6. It is very clear that the value coming from groups such as the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation is not just worthy of support but is also worthy of recognising the patriotism and active citizenship in so many organisations doing work that is of great value to the State, including in financial terms.

I mention this because it is not normal to speak about active citizenship and patriotism. A few years ago President McAleese called for the amount of active citizenship taking place to be recognised. Yesterday the European Union imposed on Greece a number of strict conditions if it is to correct its economy. The next countries targeted to get their economies right will probably be Spain and Portugal. It did not mention Ireland on this occasion solely because we have taken the first steps. When I talk about patriotism and active citizenship I believe everybody should be doing that. I am very concerned - Senator Leyden touched on just one small aspect - about those with secure jobs, who, while they have taken cuts in State pay, are suggesting they will work against the steps that have been taken. This is an occasion where everybody, especially the State employees, needs to say: "Let's bed down this year and put our hearts together in supporting the steps that have been taken by the Government in order to ensure we're not next in the line for conditions to be imposed on us from outside."