Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

The Ceann Comhairle is very kind. It is important in all this doom and gloom that Ireland stays open for business. It is important that we continue to go out and spend money on entertainment, on taxis and the Luas from Tallaght into town and on shopping. I read the statement by the Dublin City Traders Association to the effect that it is glad to note that people are beginning to spend again. This might be happening because it is coming up to Christmas, but it is important nonetheless. It is important to maintain jobs.

I was made redundant three times in my life and I know what it is like to go home to the family and announce that Christmas is cancelled. I know what it is like to be under pressure looking for a new job. I know what it is like to access social welfare services. I spent all day at the Select Committee on Social and Family Affairs, which is dealing with the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008. There are serious issues involved, which also affect us on this side of the House. However, we must get the message across. Deputy Cyprian Brady made a valid point that as far as social welfare is concerned, we must continue to do our best to ensure that funding is available for those who need it. The unemployed clearly need our support.

Other colleagues have spoken of the need to continue to ensure job creation. I will not just talk about Tallaght, but I am entitled to talk about the needs of our community. We have a very young population in Tallaght and people will be worried. I visited a number of schools this week, where there are issues about education that are of concern to teachers.

We must continue to promote all of our constituencies. That will happen in Donegal, Limerick, Monaghan, Kerry and elsewhere and I will not fight with any colleagues about needs. The message we must get across to the Government is that the best way out of poverty and economic difficulties is to continue to be positive and continue to create jobs.

My colleagues may challenge me on the needs of my constituency. I do not want to be purely parochial but my constituency, like every other, has certain needs. In times of difficulty, one must continue to be positive and get one's message across. In Tallaght, for example, there is a pressing need for a new Garda station. I hope, despite the current difficulties and constraints, that project will not be put off forever. It is important for me to continue with my campaign in that regard. Tallaght also needs a new court house. The area needs facilities for more gardaí and I will continue, even in these difficult times, to make that point. When the upturn comes, it is important that projects such as this are on the table. I hope the Minister will continue to listen to me.

It is important that various infrastructural developments go ahead, country wide as well as in Dublin. As far as my constituency is concerned, one of the proposals of which we are most proud is the plan to extend the Luas. The Luas is a tremendous service, which transports passengers between the city centre and Tallaght. There are plans to extend the Luas line from the city centre to the former Point Theatre, now known as the O2, as well as plans to extend the line beyond the west Tallaght estates of Fettercairn, Brookfield and Ardmore and out to City West and Saggart. That will have a very positive effect in terms of selling points for my community. It will enable us to continue to make a positive case for new jobs in our area because the transport infrastructure, along with other infrastructure, is continuing to develop.

Deputies who know Tallaght will know that a great deal of progress has been made there in recent times, with the development of many new hotels and other infrastructural facilities. These are the kinds of facilities one expects to find in any major population centre. I often said that Tallaght had the population of a city but the status of a village but thank God, that has now changed and we are progressing. We must keep our eye on the ball and in these difficult times, continue to be positive and to get our message across.

I have often quoted Deputy Bertie Ahern in saying that at a time when all boats are rising, one must remember the little boats and at a time when boats are in difficulty, it is even more important that we continue to mention the little boats. I will continue to stay faithful to my ideals as far as social inclusion is concerned and will continue to speak up for my community at every opportunity. I will also continue to do my shopping in Tallaght. I will not be found going across the Border to take advantage of lower prices. If that upsets people, I am sorry for that but the few bob that I spend will be spent in my own community. I hope everyone else does the same.

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