Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I renew my call for a debate on the future of politics, a matter I have raised on numerous occasions. Yesterday's events illustrate that there is a disconnect between the body politic and the real world. It behoves us, as Members of this House, to represent the people and give them a voice. We are on the verge of making politics the profession of a chosen few, be they business people, farmers, teachers or public sector workers. That must never be allowed to happen. We are returning to the days of the part-time politician.

I seek a debate on the role of representative organisations, particularly in the light of the remarks made by the president of the GRA at that organisation's annual conference yesterday and the speech he proposed to make. It is important that members of the Garda Síochána stand aside from politics. However, we must not lose sight of the fact that there is a major level of anger among those in the public sector about the disproportionate way in which they have been affected by the decisions taken. It is wrong and disingenuous for Members of this House to create a further barrier in that regard. Senator MacSharry invoked the name of James Connolly. What would James Connolly say to the Government which has brought the country to the edge of bankruptcy and overseen a massive rise in unemployment and inequality?