Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

In contrast, look at the positive initiatives as regards competitiveness set out by the Government in the recent past. The strategic innovation fund, PRTLI, which has benefited the University of Limerick, Science Foundation Ireland, research clusters, the strategy for technology and science, the innovation voucher initiative, Enterprise Ireland's research and development scheme, and most importantly, the national skills strategy aimed at upskilling the workforce. Where were the matching policies or the alternatives last night? The reality is there were none. We were treated to a tirade of negativity from the Fine Gael Party.

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