Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

That is a development that is occurring and one we can progress in these difficult times in terms of energy resources. We will face difficulties because in the short run electricity and energy prices will be high because of those international fuel issues.

We must be linked internationally and on this island to ensure an effective response and build good transmission connections to have an effective electricity market that will result in a decrease in prices. We are progressing with the east-west interconnector, which will provide international connectivity that will yield solutions.

We can lift our construction industry by giving supports to people to retrofit their houses, which were built during the past ten to 30 years with poor insulation, to increase their energy efficiency in this new world.

We have everything going for us to deliver ICT as our main fundamental driver of a new economy. We have 200 of the world's leading ICT companies here, 600 of our own software companies and 400 companies involved in the digital leader services areas. We have the right policies in place for the development of broadband, the education system and in Science Foundation Ireland to steer that economic development in a way that will help us.

I visited one of those international companies in the health care sector — Vistacom, in Limerick — and met its management team of 15 people. They might as well have been wearing Munster jerseys such was the pride they had in the efficiencies they were delivering each year to make sure their company was one of the main suppliers in the world of a very specialised product. I walked away from them with a clear sense that the drive they are under every year to achieve 10% efficiency gains should be and could be mirrored by what we do in the public sector to ensure we play our part. We need to be similarly efficient in how we provide services.

The measures announced by the Minister for Finance can be turned to good effect by delivering the public services we want efficiently and effectively, as the private sector is doing. Our Civil Service can rise to that challenge. We are all wearing green jerseys in this difficult period. Such consensus and co-operation in the public service and in the private sector will see us progress in the period ahead.

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