Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The average industrial wage has also risen substantially. There are now more than 2 million people working in the country despite rises in unemployment during the past year, and, unfortunately, further rises in unemployment are predicted next year. Our completion rates for second and third level education are among the highest in the European Union. It is a key priority to protect this solid base of achievement to the greatest extent we possibly can in these circumstances.

We are determined to keep our focus on making sure that we come out of these difficult times as quickly and strongly as we can.

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