Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Interrupting me does not change the facts. The Deputy asked a question and she should allow me the courtesy of giving an answer.

We are bringing forward a strategy under the chairmanship of Mr. Michael Buckley, who is ensuring all the recommendations from Professor O'Driscoll's excellent report are implemented. We are also making serious strategic decisions on the investment in third level education which I announced in this budget and which will be a central part of the next national development plan. We seek to bring about much more investment in broadband and other issues which are critical to the knowledge economy. We want to maintain an overall macroeconomic stance that ensures we remain competitive. We face challenges on competitiveness, as does every open economy. We need to deal with those to maintain the record job creation we have achieved under this Administration. We will implement the strategy successfully for a third term.

See this speech in context