Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

No, I do not. I made my point already. Perhaps the Deputy does not move out of Dublin as often as he should because if he did so he would be aware that thousands of people came home from work in the evening to find letters from their banks approving loans of €10,000, €15,000 or €50,000 and asking them to come in and collect the money. Perhaps he is not aware people who bought not one or two but 10 or 12 apartments over their mobile telephones at the height of the rush of property acquisitions. Perhaps he is not aware of the consequences in terms of ghost estates and other symbols around the country.

I understand that the Deputy is speaking from his own narrow focus but I used the limited time available to me to speak with at least seven or eight chief executive officers of international businesses, some whose companies are located here and others who have since decided to propose further investments in this country or are considering investing. This is a matter of jobs, confidence, hope and opportunities for the future. I used these face-to-face meetings to express the view that the Government is making serious decisions in the interest of the country. What we offer as a package in terms of tax, technology, talent and track record is second to none. Evidence of this can be found in the continuous stream of decisions to invest in this country, including one last week relating to a firm that employs 1,400 people in the Deputy's constituency. That is what we need for the future and it is where the future lies. This is why it was important to speak directly to these individuals when I had an opportunity to express confidence in the facilities and packages that Ireland offers in respect of investments from which jobs can be attracted and developed.

I could not meet everybody who was in Davos because it was attended by several thousand people from all over the world, but I met a significant number of influential individuals, both politicians and business people. These business people include some who were happy with the investments they have made in Ireland and who continue to espouse that cause strongly and publicly in the world's media, and others who are considering serious and substantial investments in our country. I am sure the Deputy supports that work and will also support the investment and jobs that result from it. Although I had not previously visited Davos, I realised there are strong reasons for taking the opportunity to meet face to face with serious investors and serious players.

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