Dáil debates

Thursday, 7 December 2006

Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed)

 

6:00 pm

Photo of Ivor CallelyIvor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

Ireland can be proud of its role in Europe and its achievements. We are in a position to address the ills in our society. We can sustain and protect our progress to date. Every person wishes to see the good times continue and if global forces impact on our position, safety measures must be in place. We wish to see our children enjoy quality of life, with opportunities in abundance. We want our parents cared for in old age with dignity. People with disabilities must be appropriately accommodated. We want employment opportunities, good salaries, disposable income and foreign holidays to continue. We can do this if the progress of recent years is maintained and built on.

The Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Michael Ahern, has done much work on the development of our economy and economic policy. Europe has been a catalyst for change in economic policy. It has given guaranteed access to the European markets, attracting overseas companies because of EU membership, our domestic policies and the work of the Minister and Ministers of State at the Department.

The adoption of the euro by Ireland, the first English speaking state in the eurozone to do so, provided unique opportunities. The structural supports and investment received turned around our competitiveness and put us on the international market map. The overall outlook is positive but we must remain vigilant and our domestic policies must be sound. The economic background to the budget is very good. Our GDP and GNP remain strong and our ability to create jobs continues, with job creation set to reach 72,000 jobs, or 1,400 new jobs every week. The total number of people in employment is over 2 million, a remarkable performance.

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