Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

The Minister of State knows from his daily work in south Tipperary that people feel they are under siege. They are terrorised by Government policies. We can trot out the usual argument on NAMA and the bailing out of banks but the public sector worker feels unrecognised, devalued and worthless because of budgets, punditry and the pronouncements of Government. Walking into any staff room or canteen in a hospital or any other public sector building, one can see that morale is low and needs to be helped.

This Government is incapable of restoring the trust and confidence of the people, which has been broken. The political leadership of Enda Kenny and Richard Bruton on benchmarking involved talking to ordinary people. On the Order of Business I made a suggestion at which Senator Mooney took umbrage. I argued it was time for the Minister for Finance to go before the people to make a state of the nation broadcast and tell them the unvarnished truth. The people want to hear the truth rather than spin or lies. They want plain and honest-to-God facts. As Senator Bradford mentioned, turning the economy around will require a different set of people and policies.

I knock on doors four nights a week. Three common questions I hear are "Where are the jobs?", "When will the cuts end?" and "When will we recognise the importance of people?"

Public sector workers have an opportunity to place their self-interest with the national interest. No matter how imperfect, this pay deal can help to stabilise the economy and get this nation off the bottom rung of the ladder and back up to the premiership in some shape or form.

Many of us in politics despise the comments by certain pundits who claim a knowledge of everything and to have every answer. They fail to recognise that ordinary, decent people are under pressure. We have all met public sector workers in our daily work as politicians. A few nights ago, I met a schoolteacher who had been forced into giving grinds, not because he wanted to but because he needed to maintain the lifestyle of his children and wife. Ten years ago, teaching was seen as a great job. Today, nurses, teachers, gardaí and prison officers among other low-paid public sector workers I could name are applying for family income supplement payments and are under considerable pressure. I hope this deal is passed. If so, the Government will have a responsibility to spread the burden equitably and fairly, which it has not done to date.

I commend Mr. David Begg and Senator O'Toole on their leadership in this debate. I trust Mr. Begg's judgment and the manner in which he does business. Like Deputy Kenny, he is a man with a vision of an Ireland that is fair, just and based upon valuing work. This is what we must aspire to and espouse. I do not blame people for being angry because it is justifiable, but the opportunity to show it is at the ballot box where they can put Fianna Fáil out of power. Senator O'Sullivan commented on how the Taoiseach would be recognised in years to come, but I do not share his opinion. Those in the Fianna Fáil Party, especially the former Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, and the former Minister for Finance, Mr. McCreevy, will be recognised as the architects of Ireland's disastrous downfall.

SIPTU has taken a strong stand. I noted the words of Mr. Jack O'Connor who suggested that perhaps we should not comment on the matter. I disagree with him although I respect his opinion and his ability to lead his members. We must not allow ourselves to become another Greece. Reference was made to last Tuesday's protest outside Leinster House. I support people's right to protest and strike but we must have a sense of realism and put matters in perspective. Let us have a real debate. I have a fundamental difficulty with some of the punditry that is shown on television and written down. We must get value for money and create efficiencies in the public sector. Above all, we must give people hope and create and provide for jobs.

I will conclude by referring to Thomas L. Friedman's op-ed piece in The New York Times. The tooth fairy may be dead, but those of us in leadership in politics have a role to play. Politics is about bringing people with us and giving hope. That is what the Fine Gael Party is about. This deal is far from perfect but it gives people an opportunity to regroup and Ireland an opportunity to regenerate.