Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I concur with the points made by Senator Twomey on the Croke Park agreement. The first union to come back with a result, although it has not received much notice or publicity, is the Civil Service executive union, CPSU, a key union. It has accepted the deal by a majority of two to one. The clarifications given by the Government last night on teachers' contracts are extraordinarily helpful in dispelling some of the myths and misinformation spread regarding the impact on teaching. The clarifications given by the Labour Court to IMPACT will be very helpful whatever happens at the executive union today. We will make these points in more detail next week. Until then, it is most important that Ministers try to win the confidence of public sector workers who do not believe or trust them and are angry at them. The Government should acknowledge that they have also taken a hit on a number of occasions and emphasise that it is committed to the Croke Park agreement in letter and in spirit. These simple things, put nicely to the people, would make a difference.