Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

When the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, introduced the Finance Bill, he pointed out that it is based on sound fiscal policies to encourage economic growth while promoting care for the environment and protecting the less well-off in our society. He also stated that the Bill contains a range of business-friendly measures that will support continued growth and job creation in a climate of economic slowdown and that various measures in it are aimed at combating tax avoidance and criminal tax activity. He further stated that it is the fifth Finance Bill he has introduced. The Tánaiste was speaking my language.

I do not want to draw out the Opposition or upset my good friend, Deputy Noonan. However, many remarks have been made about the performance of the Government and how matters are developing. I am happy to be a member of a Government party, the members of which have confidence in the ability of the Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, and the Tánaiste, Deputy Cowen, to deal with the enormous challenges we face.

I do not wish to be flippant but someone said to me earlier that if the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste were candidates in the American presidential election, they would do well because they have demonstrated their abilities. When one travels abroad — we have all had the opportunity to do so on occasion — one is struck, even in the current climate, by the manner in which politicians in other jurisdictions point to the success of the Irish economy. I accept that times are tight and that we face competition, but what has happened with the economy is good for our image.

I co-chaired a meeting of the Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs earlier and I was reminded that the Tánaiste must ensure that proper resources are made available in order to cater for the needs of the vulnerable and disadvantaged. The Taoiseach used to say — I strongly subscribe to this view — that at all times, even when the economy is doing well but certainly when it is being challenged, it is important that we remember all the boats, particularly the smaller ones. My predecessor in the constituency I represent, Chris Flood, often made that point in respect of social inclusion. It is something I have promoted in my community and political work and I will continue to do so.

I share the concerns expressed by previous speakers with regard to the challenges we will face in the negotiations on pay. As someone with a trade union background who now has an opportunity to make a contribution in Dáil Éireann, I am of the view that it is important to understand the nature of those challenges. Difficulties will arise and Members have been subjected to a great deal of lobbying. Previous speakers referred to the position of agency workers, etc., and I have met delegations from my constituency and representatives of SIPTU to discuss these matters. It is important that the Tánaiste understands our concerns in this regard and that progress is monitored as the negotiations on pay evolve. I hope measures will emerge that will take into account the difficulties and challenges we face.

On occasions of this nature, I am always aware that I should not refer only to Tallaght and my constituency of Dublin South-West. However, I have listened to most of the debate on the Bill and previous speakers mentioned almost every town in every county. I will not, therefore, be sensitive about referring to Tallaght, Templeogue, Greenhills, Firhouse, Brittas or Bohernabreena.

I have no desire to suggest that as I go about my daily business people stop me and state that they want to discuss the Finance Bill. However, like their counterparts in Finglas and Limerick — to which we sent John Fitzgerald, a man who did good things in Tallaght, to resolve its problems — there are issues which are of concern to them. Sometimes the Opposition think that Government backbenchers are happy with everything and that they do not have concerns or are not prepared to express such concerns if they do harbour them. I would not be doing my job if I did not express my concerns.

There are a number of issues which the Tánaiste must examine. Previous speakers referred to their constituencies and I am certainly going to refer to the constituency I represent. I share Deputy Connaughton's concerns regarding the summer works scheme and I am aware the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, has been under pressure in that regard. It should be acknowledged that, over a period, tremendous work has been done in many of our communities, particularly in my constituency, as a result of the scheme, which has provided good value for money. I appeal to the Tánaiste to check the coffers in order to see what might be done to ensure that funding is again made available in respect of the summer works scheme. There is no doubt that the scheme was a welcome development throughout the country and my constituency was no different in that regard.

I hope the Tánaiste will give consideration to the various issues raised by Members. I ask him to examine the position of Tallaght community school, which is caught in a bind in the context of trying to redevelop the swimming pool at the local sports complex. There is some confusion as to whether the Department of Education and Science, the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism or South Dublin County Council have responsibility in this regard. The swimming pool is on the school's property and the school authorities are responsible for it. It is important that my constituency colleagues and I make the case on the school's behalf.

On a number of previous occasions I referred to hospital services and the position of Tallaght Hospital. Other Members also referred to such services and to the relationship with the HSE. I share their concerns. I have no wish to be parochial but I feel strongly about Tallaght Hospital, the catchment area of which encompasses not only Tallaght — the third largest population centre in the country — but also includes parts of Kildare and extends as far as Carnew in County Wicklow. I become concerned when I read about the HSE encountering difficulties in attempting to fund services. I accept that the Tánaiste has a great many matters with which to deal but I am of the view that Members who represent areas in which major hospitals are located should not be afraid to highlight the issue of hospital services.

I wish to refer to employment and job creation. The Tánaiste, through provisions in the Bill, is continuing his policy of creating a situation in which jobs and investment can be attracted to Ireland. I raised the matter of job losses at Jacob's on the Adjournment last week. Job losses in Wicklow and elsewhere have taken Tallaght off the map a bit in that regard, although it is very important.

Last week, I stated in the Dáil that I bring to my politics my own experiences. I have been made redundant three times in my life in different ways but I recovered and I know the trauma of such an experience. I know it is important to support families and I express solidarity with the people in Wicklow. There is an issue for me in Tallaght regarding the jobs being lost in Jacob's. There are 220 full-time jobs and 130 seasonal jobs. It is reasonable for me as a Tallaght-based Government Deputy to make this point.

Public representatives will always make a point about their communities, towns, cities and counties but the case for Tallaght is strong. We have a very young population and we had to deal with challenges such as unemployment over the years. Since The Square opened on 23 October 1990, things have come on enormously in my community. We need more job creation rather than job losses so the Minister must continue to introduce policies that will continue to attract investment.

Cases can be made for everywhere else in the country but I am not afraid to make the case for Tallaght. As I stated, it is the third largest population centre in the country so it is important I do so.

In the context of the Finance Bill, it is important that Departments providing various facilities and services in all our communities continue to be monitored. I listened to some of the comments of the Opposition regarding the current state of the economy. I came into town last Saturday on the Luas with my son — I do not normally come in but I was lucky enough to get a ticket to Croke Park — and the city was buzzing. I came to work this morning again on the Luas. As Deputy Noonan knows, it is good to walk and I strolled around the city this morning. There is a genuine impression that people are working and getting into the city as the streets are full of cars. We may listen to comments of foreboding about the state of the economy but there is still much vibrancy out there. People are still working and tourists are coming in.

I will not preach but we should not talk down our economy. We should be clear and continue to understand that good management is very important. That is the reason I have much confidence in my colleagues, the Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, the Minister, Deputy Brian Cowen, and the other Ministers. The presence of my good friend, the Minister of State, Deputy Pat Carey, reminds me that all of us should continue to support the work he does and not only in the drugs area. Although that is the headline of his responsibility, he also deals with community activity and development. It is important that the Minister for Finance continues to ensure proper funding in that regard.

I heard criticism today of other sections of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs but none of the comments concerning the Minister of State, Deputy Carey, was negative. He is clearly getting the message across to us and I continue to support him in that regard.

I hope the Acting Chairman does not mind me mentioning Tallaght again, but I mentioned Limerick a couple of times.

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