Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

When the Taoiseach announced the national development plan he stated it would be delivered in full, on time and on budget. Clearly, it is based on projections for economic growth that are a distant memory. I would like to support the Taoiseach here. Given the state in which we are now, is it possible to concentrate on elements from the plan which are labour intensive such as building schools, smaller road contracts or public works of one kind or another? These could employ very sizeable numbers of people and would be a confidence booster in their own way. They would get people back to work and give them a sense of respect and they could make a contribution to the economy.

Every local authority in the country should be in a position to employ sizeable numbers of people. The salary scales might not be that great but if one will pay €250 or €230 to people on the dole it would be far better to get productive work from them with a contribution or assistance from local authorities. Has the Government considered the possibilities for employment in the shorter term on this type of contract? While the development programme itself contains more than 500 commitments many of them, as the Taoiseach knows, cannot and will not be achieved for a very long time.

See this speech in context