Larry Butler (Fianna Fail)

I would not be the most supportive of unions. I was an employer and always prided myself on paying more than the union rates. If somebody had a beef with me, I would say that he or she might like to work for some company with union rates. It was never an argument with me because I always paid more than the union rates.

Social partnership was quite a good idea but I disagreed with parts of it. The social partnership model is no longer appropriate. Given the reality in which we find ourselves where we must compete in world markets with a reduced demand for our goods, we must find a more flexible approach to ensuring we deliver services. One of the most important services any country can deliver is the public service.

Those in the public service in this country are fantastic. Since I became a Member of this House and as a member of a local authority for 19 years, I have found public servants to be fantastic people who are really dedicated to what they do. This is a good opportunity for the public service to show itself in a good and patriotic light. We need to work together to come out of this downturn in the economy. As Senator Hanafin stated, when money was available, the Government was quite generous in ensuring everyone was quite well paid and perhaps, in many cases, too well paid.

Senator O'Toole is an outstanding contributor in this House and is also very sensible when it comes to discussions on unions and employers as he has much experience in that regard. It was very interesting to hear him condemn the public service on the approach it has taken to public representatives who are doing a good job and are trying to help their constituents. It is a shame to see work not being handled properly.

There are other ways for the public service to protest. This method of protest is not serving the public service well and shows it in a bad light. When I telephone a public servant to ask that something is done, the public servant tells me he or she will not handle it. I must get back to the constituent to say it cannot be done because the public servant will not handle it. The question then asked is whether these people are being paid. Of course, they are being paid.

It is very honourable to go out on strike if one must but one must do one's job if one is being paid. We must move on from strikes because they do not work anymore. People on strike will find themselves in very difficult situations. Mortgages and bills must be paid so withdrawing labour totally is no longer a sensible approach for any union to take.

I support the Croke Park agreement. The categoric assurances the Government has given on job protection and the security of pensions for the next four years would not be provided in any other workplace.