Joe O'Toole (Independent)

The professional way in which they go about their work and their constant availability to deal with tricky issues, solve problems and manage the affairs of the House should certainly be recorded.

It is important, as we head into the general election campaign, to recognise that, even though the economy is the fundamental basis on which people will make their voting decisions, the nation moves beyond it. While we have to get the fundamentals of the economy correct to ensure wealth is created in order that it can be properly divided, the division of wealth is also crucial. It is responsible to apportion blame. Only by assigning blame and having debates on what happened in the past can one learn for the future. We must ensure the forthcoming election debate moves beyond the economic and banking issues which are overshadowing all others. Today a report in the newspapers highlights an increase in the incidence of suicide among the elderly. Our society must ask why this is happening and how can it be solved? Similar questions need to be asked about the health and education systems. Both seem to take centre stage when the economy does not. If we are to have a balanced election campaign, we must deal with all of these issues, as well as quality of life.

Interestingly, the Aer Lingus row has highlighted conflicting issues about the economy, the rights of workers, family-friendly policies in large companies and even the position of social partnership. One can only but feel that if the social partnership structures were in place, this row would have been dealt with earlier. I congratulate IBEC and the ICTU for taking the initiative to find a solution.

Responsible and elected public representatives must look at society as a whole. The economy is the base on which wealth is created, after which there is the division of wealth which involves the running of the State, provision of education and health services. It is important we examine how we invest in such services and its importance to the future of the economy, the nation and the people.

There are other issues mar an cultúr agus an teanga agus conas mar atá siad lonnaithe insan saol atá againn sa lá atá inniu ann. Tá dul chun cinn tábhachtach déanta in a lán áiteanna. These are all issues which must be central to the debates which will tak eplace in the forthcoming general election. I appeal to all Members to ensure all pf the hard questions are asked on all of the issues and to examine carefully the direction taken on them.