Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In terms of the country-specific recommendations, we welcome the fact that there was a reduction in them. We also welcome the fact that the Commission seems to have had a far more concise approach generally to the recommendations. Your analysis, Vice Chairman, is accurate. We did not foresee any surprises. There are no surprises in our recommendations and they relate to the four areas of which we are already fully aware. The fact sometimes gets lost in some of the narrative about the country-specific recommendations and their purpose, that they sometimes restate what a Government already knows. It is not designed to be unhelpful, it is a simple statement of fact. We have had a very difficult number of years economically and therefore in the area of health care, in particular in jobless households, we are aware that while we have reduced unemployment from 15.1% to below 10% currently, there are too many households where we need to assist people. We must continue to foster an environment where jobs can be created.

The broad thrust of the CSRs, in Ireland's case, reflects the fact that this economy is being well run and is performing well. It is certainly my intention, as a Minister of State, to ensure we continue to do that. We will be working towards addressing all the country-specific recommendations which, ultimately, are to the benefit of our citizens.