Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Not one day's work was lost to such problems. That is an extraordinary achievement by both the people in general and by those in the public sector. I have had the opportunity to address a number of international fora and have been asked how we achieved this without strikes taking place. There is a need to recognise that there has been no industrial rest.

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has told the Lower House that the bill in this regard has to be reduced by a further ¤1 billion in the next three years. This will be very difficult to achieve. Up to now, we have managed to achieve reductions in a climate of industrial peace. Effectively, 30,000 people have been taken out of the public sector. At the same time, 80,000 young people have entered the education system and an additional 400,000 individuals have applied for medical cards. This has all happened at a time when extraordinary demands have been placed on the public service. We often ignore what has been achieved in reducing the numbers employed in the public service and cutting the pay and pensions bill.

No Government wants to reduce child benefit. As stated, I live in an ordinary housing estate in a very nice part of Dublin. I am very proud to live there. I am aware that people who live in the estate have lost their jobs and that the young families are struggling to make ends meet. I must be honest with them, myself and the country that we cannot proceed unless we have a strategy that is going to get us to a better place.

I regularly argue with Senator David Cullinane when I come before the House. I must inform him that it is fundamentally dishonest for any political party, including that which he represents, to state ¤3.5 billion can be taken out of the economy and that no one will be affected. During the general election campaign Sinn Féin stated that it would abolish the universal social charge. In the first Private Members' motion it tabled following the election, it reiterated that it would do this. In his most recent speech Deputy Pearse Doherty confirmed that it was still intent on abolishing the charge. If this was done, we would owe a further ¤4 billion. The Senator attacked Labour Party Senators for what they had said during the general election campaign. However, he must account for himself in this regard. We must end this tomfoolery, as the public is seeking honest solutions. I accept that there are alternatives, but they must at least be credible.