Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

Perhaps it is fortunate that the Deputy Leader is taking the Order of Business because he may be qualified to tell us about the proposed mayor for Dublin. We understand the heads of a Bill were agreed but we will not know the details until the legislation is published. I ask the Deputy Leader to outline for the House what he thinks the Bill will contain regarding the powers of the proposed mayor. Public representatives are being caught on local radio even though we are not in a position to comment on the matter. We do not know how the proposal will work in practice. We already have four mayors who are answerable to councillors but the new mayor will have some sort of overarching role without being answerable to any council.

No. 6, the Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009, and No. 8, the Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009, have been languishing on the Order Paper for quite some time and there is confusion as to whether it is intended to proceed with them. Perhaps the Deputy Leader can enlighten us regarding these Bills.

I was taken by the comments of Senators O'Toole, Ó Murchú and Buttimer on social partnership. Nobody wants this country to end up in the situation of Italy, Spain, Portugal and, especially, Greece. I do not pretend to understand all the reasons behind the breakdown of trust but we certainly do not want unrest. It is welcome that Senator O'Toole, who is closely involved in the trade union movement, stated that unions have no such intention but we must return to talks. It is very bad when people do not speak to one another because, as Senator Leyden would argue, it can lead to divorce. In order to arrive at a proper accommodation, the Government should lead the return to the negotiating table.