Joe O'Toole (Independent)

On a number of occasions in the last session the fact that we should be discussing what is happening on the industrial relations scene with regard to unions, management and various social partners was raised in this House. Proposals came from both sides, from Senators MacSharry, Bradford and others, that we should have this discussion. In the meantime the Croke Park agreement has been passed, and the Minister of State, Deputy Dara Calleary, has been given responsibility for its implementation.

The Croke Park deal, as written, is very good for this country. It is the opportunity to introduce change in the public service which would make it a model of best practice internationally. There is a prize to be won here, with continuing and long-term gain for the Irish taxpayer and the common good. It is proposed to reduce the size of the public sector by more than 15,000, with the accumulated gains that accompany that. There is also a commitment to efficiency. The promise to the workers on the other side is that their wages will not be cut in the meantime and their jobs will be secure, which are prizes in themselves.

What is happening now, however, is that people are saying it is just another agreement and will not be implemented. I have been involved at the heart of many of these agreements. This House should take ownership of the change management which is proposed in the Croke Park agreement. This House should get regular updates from the Minister of State on what progress has been made. This agreement will affect the economy in many ways. I have heard people say that the Croke Park agreement will not be implemented. That suits many people on the trade union side, who are opposed to it. It equally suits people at senior levels, who believe that the change might apply higher up the food chain on this occasion and cause problems for them.

The reality, however, is that the public servant who is contemplating changing his or her car, installing new windows, extending the house or spending a weekend in Cavan does so on the basis of the certainty of his or her income. If people say this agreement will not happen, there are two consequences - the commitments to no cuts in salary and no compulsory redundancies also go by the board. We must tell people: "This is what you get. It is good, precious and protected. Make it happen." We must also tell people on the other side that we are taking over the ownership of change. When I speak about vested interests in this regard, people tend to think of the person at the bottom of the food chain, the teacher or civil servant. However, this goes right to the top. This requires commitment at all levels to deliver. The only way we will see it happening is if the Minister comes to the House and says: "This is what is proposed, this is what must happen and, if it does not happen, this is the outcome." The people on various sides of the argument who are making noises about not buying into it for various reasons must recognise that if they are not in, they do not get the protections in the agreement.

We stand on the cusp of an opportunity to make the Irish public sector the most effective and efficient in Europe. Recall that a couple of months ago we saw Greece in chaos on a number of occasions due to public sector workers. Last month it was Italy and two weeks ago France was closed down. Today, Spain has closed down. We must value what we have in this country in that regard. There is a great deal to be won in this country and it will only be won if people insist that the commitments be delivered by all sides. The Government has given a fair commitment and it is for the other side, of which I am a part, to ensure it delivers as well. It will only be delivered if everybody recognises that it must be delivered. Members of this House should hear on a monthly or bi-monthly basis about the process. I propose that the Leader arrange a very early discussion, in the next couple of weeks at least, and invite the Minister to the House to outline what is at stake, what the gains are, what the prize is and what we can do. This certainty might encourage people to open up their deposit accounts and start spending some money. We must remember that 84% of the workforce are still going to work every morning and we need to get them spending that money.