Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Yes, we take that into account but I think it will be a bigger issue in the coming years if the labour market continues at its current level. When I was speaking at the national economic dialogue last week, I made the point that as the labour market has a rate of unemployment of 4.4%, we will need to be increasingly conscious in the future, as we look to make policy decisions and invest money, that the people are there to translate a higher level of resources into work. I do not believe that was an issue even in our recent past, when we had an unemployment rate upwards of 5%. The move to a figure of 4.4%, which has remained unchanged as of yesterday, is an indication that all employers may find it increasingly difficult to get additional new staff to implement new activities, whether they be a company with a commercial service or the Government in terms of providing new services to citizens.