Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

When can we expect real reform of FÁS? While its staff do great work on the ground, it is time the board worked on behalf of the people.

I ask for a debate on social partnership. I listened to Senator Hannigan's contribution. The euro is in crisis but, more importantly, the country needs everyone involved in social partnership, including the Oireachtas, to take action to remove the threat of industrial unrest. Workers, employers, the Government and all other parties must establish a mechanism to enable us to trade out of the recession. The Government has failed to listen to the Opposition and the social partners. When will it do so? When will the Green Party begin exercising itself in Government as opposed to what it doing at present, which is huffing and puffing?