Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I thank the Acting Chairman for the opportunity of contributing to this debate on the World Trade Organisation. This is an important opportunity for all of us to respond, to lead and to come up with some creative ideas on trade, agriculture and the rapidly changing international scene. It also provides an opportunity to see the pitfalls and the need for radical, new ideas with regard to agriculture. We must think outside the box when it comes to our agricultural industry. I want to see an economic re-think because many of us have observed the shift to the extreme right which is damaging countries and the international economic order.

Change is needed. I agree with Barack Obama who constantly refers to change. He is correct in his view that we also need vision and hope for all people. More than 2,000 years ago Confucius said there were two types of people who do not change, the foolish and the dead. This applies to us all and in particular in the context of the World Trade Organisation and markets.

I suggest that when considering trade and our economy we look at the facts and pay less attention to the spin from some politicians and so-called political commentators. The level of employment growth is slowing down. Job gains were still being recorded in the Irish economy during 2007. The total number at work reached 2.139 million, an advance of 66,800 or 3.2% in the final quarter of 2007. However, not all sectors shared in job gains.

Employment levels fell in both construction and manufacturing last year. The construction force amounted to 284,600 workers, 13.7% of total employment but this dropped to 279,000. We must be active and creative when dealing with this issue. I raised these issues in my agreement with the Taoiseach regarding the development of the economy in the event of a down turn. It is important we look at these issues and target projects and investments in the building sector across the north side of Dublin. It is important to target community services and I welcome the €6 million granted yesterday by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for the clean up of Dublin bay.

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