Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the contributions made, particularly by Senators with a genuine concern, as we all have. Nobody has a monopoly on this. The matters mentioned have been raised with all Members of the Oireachtas but we must act within the confines of the amount of money available to us. I acknowledge the role of the public servants who drafted the Bill and the lead Minister, Deputy Donohoe, for the manner in which it has been done up to now. We are committed as a Government to working with trade unions representing public servants to ensure we can get to a position where there is no requirement in future for FEMPI. That will depend on a number of factors, none more than the continued economic growth of the State and the amount of money available for it to spend on such matters. The Government must be cognisant of that.

I thank the Acting Chairman and the officials in the Seanad, as well as the Senators, for their co-operation. It was a very constructive debate on a very important matter.