Simon Harris

Yes and no.

Let me explain what I mean.

So I was at a meeting of what we call the LEAF recently, the Taoiseach myself, some other relevant and key ministries with the trade unions, with IBEC and with the Construction Industry Federation and a few others.

And, I mean, there was definitely an agreement at that meeting that there is a need for a much more intensive process of engagement between what used to be called the social partners and government.

So I am fully, as the leader of Fine Bail, as the Donnacht of the country, I'm fully in favour of putting in place a process that has people in the tent, engaging, sitting around the table, talking to government, trying to find common ground.

What I'm not fully in favour of, because I do think in going, as you described, going back to the future, we do need to be careful to learn the lessons of the past too.

I'm not in favour of outsourcing the decision-making power of a sovereign government to unelected representatives either.

So there's a balance, but I absolutely think, not only do I think, I really believe, and I think there's a shared view, not to speak for the union movement or business representative groups, but I do think there's a shared view that there's real benefit for the country

at this moment to crisis and trying to pull together and actually have an intensive process of engagement.

And we as a government are giving consideration as to how best to do that.

Certainly having the odd meeting here or there or a periodic meeting once a quarter isn't going to rise to the occasion.

And I have to say this, I mean,

We have, you know, I'm a party political leader, not a trade unionist, but the trade union movement has played a very important role in this country.

I do want to acknowledge that, even in the darkest days of our financial crisis, in working with government in a constructive way.

That doesn't mean they agree with government and everything far from it.

It doesn't mean we agree with them and everything far from it.

But I'd much rather be dealing with democratically constituted organisations

that we can sit down in a structured, calm, rational manner and be honest with each other, share the data.

We might not always arrive at the same viewpoint, but share the data, show people what the options are and engage.

I think that's a very constructive thing to do.