Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I have listened for years to Senators argue that social partnership sidelined the democratic input of the Houses of the Oireachtas. While I recognise that social partnership played a pivotal role in the recovery from the dark economic days of the 1980s, over the past ten years it has contributed significantly to the current economic mess. The social partners should take their share of the responsibility and play a part in finding solutions. I concur fully with the comments of many Members today. I welcome the all-party consensus on reducing the State's borrowing requirement to 3% of GDP by 2014. This will be absolutely essential if we are to meet two objectives. The first is to give confidence to the bond markets in order that we can borrow at much cheaper rates of interest than is possible at present. The second aspect is that having a consensus and injecting stability into the position will help to restore consumer confidence, which will be a prerequisite to any economic growth. I would like to think that much emphasis will be placed on that area. I was highly impressed by Senator Ó Brolcháin's positive research and the points he brought to the attention of the House. A debate should be devoted to such positive aspects because people need to be reminded of them and this must be amplified. The media have been highly negative and have not been constructive throughout this period. I refer in particular to the national broadcaster, of which I am highly critical, that could have had a role to play. This is unlike the position in neighbouring jurisdictions in which people get the bad news but it is balanced by positive developments within the economy, as well as by the sound steps that are being taken to restore the economic position.

I ask the Leader to arrange for a debate along the lines and on the four areas suggested by Senator MacSharry. I also agree that job creation, as mentioned by Senator Bradford, should be one such topic and suggest that the Leader should include proposed measures to restore consumer confidence. I seek a continuation of Members' earlier debate on the Croke Park deal. It is unconscionable to think we would be able to ring-fence 40% of expenditure without being obliged to address it.