Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I support the call for a debate on the Croke Park agreement. We should compliment the members of Fine Gael on the comments they have been making for some time about the agreement. No doubt it is having an effect on the trade unions which are now drawing back and reflecting on what is on offer. For that reason, everyone who has an opportunity should make their views known in this regard.

It is also important at this stage to be sensitive to the needs of the trade union movement. The movement in this country has a proud and responsible reputation. If one goes back in history to the 1913 lockout, it is quite clear where we have come in the meantime through the leadership provided by the trade union movement. Looking at what is happening in Greece, I can recall some of the debates we had in this House initially at the beginning of the recession when there was a suggestion that we could end up with turmoil and violence on the streets. One of the reasons that has not happened is because of the reputation and the history of the trade union movement, the restraints they bring about as a result of organised labour and the fact there is a voice for those who feel dispossessed and, at the same time, feel they are not getting an equal opportunity. For that reason, I hope that in the context of the Croke Park agreement we will listen closely to what the trade union movement has to say because if we look at what comes without having that negotiation, reflection and debate, we can see what happened in Greece.

Again, I salute the Fine Gael Party.