Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I know the Deputy does not believe that. The reality is that the continued progress on growth and jobs in the European Union is the issue, which is very welcome. That is what the Lisbon strategy has been about, particularly at a time when much of the globe is experiencing financial uncertainty. The key objective of the new cycle that we agreed at the Council meeting in March is to build on what has been achieved, maintain the key priority areas, as we did in the 2007 spring Council, and further implement what is proving to be very successful. The reality of the whole Lisbon strategy is that it is an employment strategy to foster good and sustainable employment for the people of Europe. For that reason I support it.

See this speech in context