David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I join previous speakers in welcoming everybody back after the summer break. I also welcome the publication of the wording for the children's rights referendum, which my party will support.

Senator McAleese made a profound contribution when he spoke about the relevance of this House and the role we can play. There is no doubt that over the past year or so, this House had done a lot of positive work. In my view, however, the most important thing this House can be is relevant on the issues that are affecting people in the here and now. In that context, there is no doubt that access to core public services, unemployment and emigration are the key issues facing the State at this time. Recently, we got a glimpse of the two Irelands. In one, the services to people with disabilities, older people and those being cared for were cut back. The unemployment figures indicate that there are more people out of work now than when the Government came into office. We also had the threats to young people that they will not receive their third-level grant if their parents have not paid the household charge. That is what is happening to the citizens in one Ireland. Then there is an entirely different Ireland where wealthy people are still not paying their fair share and where a bond of €1 billion will be paid out next week on an Anglo Irish Bank debt. People see the unfairness in what is happening whereby taxpayers' money is being wasted and squandered right across the whole system while core public services are not being delivered to people who need them.

I welcome the fact that we will have a number of debates on the formulation of the budget, which I called for consistently in recent months. However, we must go further than that and analyse all of the ideas that are circulating with regard to how we can turn the economy around. I agree with Senator Zappone that we need to see ideas on how to grow the economy and encourage investment. They are the key issues affecting the country and will assist us in the dealing with the unemployment crisis. Once again, I take this opportunity to welcome the fact that we are going to have a number of debates leading up to the budget.