Michael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and I assure Deputy Burton that I have met the workers in SR Technics. I met the Tánaiste to discuss the issue. I spoke with various people about this very serious issue. What Deputy Burton and the Labour Party have to offer is zilch to help these workers. They have no constructive plans to do anything to get our economy back on track. They are bereft of ideas. Two weeks ago, the media asked the Labour Party to come forward with costed items to save €2 billion. So far, not alone has the Labour Party not costed anything but it can hardly come up with an idea.

I feel for the SR Technics people, 330 of whom are on the dole queues. We must support them but the way to do so is to get our economy and public finances back into shape. It will not happen through the waffle which is how the media described the Labour Party's programmes. At this juncture, we need to get public finances back into order. We need to get our banking system solidified.

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