Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Reversing that tax increase would increase confidence in spending here. Second, PRSI payments should be abolished for employers who take on new employees in 2009. As the Taoiseach knows, it costs €20,000 per job loss. Third, a loan guarantee scheme should be set up for small businesses in distress — this is critical. Thousands of people are affected and they have approached Deputies on all sides of the House to advise that they cannot get credit, that the recapitalisation has not worked and that they need such a scheme to have the confidence to invest in their businesses and to retain and create jobs.

Fourth, as I said a number of weeks ago, the Taoiseach should rewrite the national development programme, frontload it with the infrastructural projects that are labour intensive such as school buildings, primary care centres and improvements outside every town and village in the country. Such projects would not require major international tenders. The Government should reprioritise the programme and frontload it with those labour intensive projects that will give people jobs and respect and will allow them to pay tax. They will restore some sense of confidence and belief that at long last decisions are being taken that will go some way to restoring progress for the economy.

Does the Taoiseach accept any responsibility? Is he prepared to apologise for what he has done and for the Fianna Fáil mismanagement? Is he prepared to take on board constructive proposals designed to create and retain employment, and in addition to restore some confidence and give the people a sense of belief that somebody is in charge and making decisions in the best interests of the economy?

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