Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

The political turbulence of recent weeks is distracting from the main issues that affect people's daily lives. Thousands of people are still in danger of losing their homes. Hundreds of thousands of people have no jobs. There is much confusion and anger because the issues that concern people are disappearing from the radar. The Government has taken determined action where that was necessary. As a result, we still enjoy international confidence which is so vital to economic recovery.

It might be presumptuous of me to paraphrase what Senator Joe O'Toole said, but I understand him to have said that the time is now opportune to revisit social partnership. He made a strong point in that regard, namely, that we are in a far better industrial relations position than most other countries and that is why social partnership can still work.

We also have to admit that the trade union movement has demonstrated a degree of restraint, and that has to be recognised. My understanding is that certain talks are ongoing in the background. I agree that they are preliminary but I suggest that they should be expedited. I have no doubt that given the action the Government has taken, the restraint which the trade union movement has demonstrated and the acceptance of reality by the general community, now is the time for social partnership to give leadership. If decisions are taken, they will be accepted by all. We have to look to the future, not to the past.