Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate those involved in making the student transition year challenge such a success. It was a remarkable experience for those of us in the Chamber during the session earlier today with 40 transition year students from secondary schools throughout the country. In particular I congratulate Senator Susan O'Keeffe, whose idea it was. I also congratulate the Cathaoirleach and the Leader, Senator Maurice Cummins, and also Cáit Hayes and others from the communications unit who were involved. It took a great deal of work to set it up. Hundreds of students from throughout the country were asked to submit essays and the best essay writers were chosen to come to Leinster House. All will agree they put forward questions and papers to us which were thoughtful, articulate, eloquent and, in some cases, very moving and beautifully crafted. It was very successful and I commend all those involved. The students put their questions in a very calm and reflective manner, which perhaps we should all emulate on the Order of Business.

To follow on from calls made last week for a debate on public sector pay in the wake of the Croke Park II agreement, I welcome the announcement that the Government has agreed to request the CEO of the Labour Relations Commission to make contact with the parties involved in the coming days to establish whether a basis for a negotiated agreement can be worked out. The Government has committed that €300 million worth of savings must be made this year and its preference, strongly expressed in recent weeks and months, is to proceed by way of consensus. It is very welcome that the Labour Relations Commission will be involved again. We all very much hope for fruitful dialogue with the unions. Proposals put forward today by Jack O'Connor offer some pause for reflection and offer a basis for an agreed settlement.

I welcome the announcement yesterday, which was raised in the House when the students were in earlier, of the Government's plan to seek to create 20,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector. It is a very worthwhile initiative and the students were very pleased to hear about it.