Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

Those who believe they can smash this Republic, however they describe it, greatly under-estimate, as many have during the decades, the strength of Irish democracy and the commitment of people to it.

Senator Boyle stated this is a time for all sides to come to a common understanding on how to solve the problems facing us. We need public service reform which will be of great benefit to us. There have been some logjams over the years that need to be loosened up. Senator Buttimer raised the issue of morale among teachers. As reported this morning, the Department of Education and Skills will be creating 1,000 new teaching jobs by the beginning of the school year in September. The Government has given commitments to education in the programme for Government. It is hoped that former colleagues of the teaching profession will bear this in mind. Even at a time of constrained resources, we have prioritised the education sector.

A number of Senators raised the issue of the impact on public representatives of the industrial action taken by public servants since the beginning of this year. A few weeks ago I received a call late one afternoon from the secretary to the county manager asking if it would be possible for him to speak to me on the phone. I could not resist replying that I did not see why not as I am not on industrial action. The industrial action has made life more complicated, which is another reason all sides would welcome agreement being reached. I have always had faith - this goes back to 1987 - in the basic good sense, intelligence and often statesmanship of the Irish trade union leadership. In a sort of perverse way I was almost pleased when Mr. Arthur Scargill urged people to fight on and fight harder given what he and Mrs. Thatcher did to the trade union movement and entire sectors of industry in the 1980s. The whole sense and purpose of policy of the past 25 years has been to avoid having to go any way in that direction.

In response to Senator Doherty, SIPTU represents some of the lowest paid workers in the public service and yet its leaders, Jack O'Connor and Patricia King and others, have shown leadership and told their members the truth, that this is the best deal available. Jack O'Connor has highlighted the elements of significance to his union, particularly the guarantees of no compulsory redundancies and involvement when decisions are taken on the design or outsourcing of work.