I will give the Tánaiste cothrom na féinne, but we will also try to cover the territory as precisely as possible.
In relation to this matter, the Tánaiste will be aware that the trade union movement, and specifically the leadership of larger unions such as SIPTU, regard this as a sine qua non if we are to have further partnership agreements. The Taoiseach recognised the seriousness of this issue when he went to the SIPTU conference. It was put on the line by the union's President, Mr. Jimmy Somers, when he stated that the outcome of the discussions of the high-level group will decide whether the trade union movement will continue to participate in social partnership when the present agreement expires. He went on to say that if the Government and employers are serious about social consensus continuing, both will have to come clean on the issue of trade union recognition.
Does the Tánaiste accept that trade unionists are fed up, particularly in domestic industry, of having no representation and of people being left in very unfair industrial situations? This is critical if we are to continue, and it is felt by some people that partnership, with our education system, has been the basis of the success of the Celtic Tiger. If we want that to go on, does the Tánaiste accept that there cannot be any more agreements unless fundamental legislation on this matter is introduced?