Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I thank the Labour Party for bringing forward this motion. In many ways it is similar to the one on the economy which we introduced two weeks ago. It is an opportunity, as Deputy English said, to share some ideas, spur on some new thinking in the Government and try to do what we were elected to do — to offer leadership and initiative when times are tough. Times are tough for many, whether they be employers or employees. Employees are feeling the pinch from all directions. They realise that employers are trying to cut costs by cutting the wage bill; they are also looking at increasing unemployment numbers.

The last ten years of government were primarily about maintaining a momentum that had been created through sensible policies and the development of a competitive economy where people wanted to come and do business and in which Irish businesses were encouraged to develop, grow and invest. A combination of investor confidence, good education and a range of other factors meant that all the Government had to do was to keep pushing the snowball along as it continued to gather momentum and grow in size. All of that has changed. The decisions taken during my ten years in this House were often ignored by the public. They were taken for granted because they were not seen to be relevant. People just got on with their lives and enjoyed the success and confidence that was the new Ireland. That has all changed. In the same way that people turn to other institutions in times of difficulty, they are now turning to the House. They expect us to give leadership and provide new ideas and hope about where Ireland is going. The level of uncertainty, among small business people in particular, but also among employees, is extraordinary. I receive telephone calls from small business people in Cork who are afraid there will be a dramatic increase in rates in order that local authority expenditure in the city can be maintained at a similar level to last year's, because there will be a 10% reduction in the money coming from the Government to local authorities. Business people will have to pick up the tab, because they are the easy sop politically.

We need inspiration, leadership, ideas and honest discussion from the Government.

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