Larry Butler (Fianna Fail)

Therefore I support the Government amendment to the motion. It is important for us to continue to ensure our finances are in a strong position. We need to find a proper solution to the banking problem. I believe we are a good part of the way there. We need to ensure the smart economy starts to work for us. Job creation is the number one issue. A solution to our energy crisis is critical. It will create many jobs and reduce our imports by €6 billion every year. Over ten years the investment would save us approximately €60 billion, which is colossal. That would put the country back on its feet. We could be self-sufficient in energy and export it.

I thank the Minister of State for coming in. He has been a regular visitor to the House and has certainly been able to keep us up to date on all the banking and other issues that have gone on.