Cyprian Brady (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion because we are where we are in these particular times. The Taoiseach recently described the current circumstances as the worst global economic situation in the past 70 years.

It behoves us to ensure that the measures we introduce protect to the greatest extent possible those who are in employment or are seeking work. The decisions we make over the coming weeks will influence those who are currently attending schools and colleges. I was delighted that the Tánaiste set out her priority as "jobs, jobs, jobs". We are all aware that the decisions we make will be tough for people and families but we must make them in the context of retaining employment and providing alternatives for those who have lost their jobs or are on short working hours due to the economic climate. Families throughout the country are having to cope with two and three day working weeks.

Having worked in employment exchanges in the 1980s, I understand the effects these changes will have on families and individuals. We must do all we can do to encourage people to return to the workforce as soon as possible and to retain the jobs that currently exist. We must plan for the time when the economy improves once again. The most basic lesson in economics is that economies throughout the world experience peaks and troughs. Recent announcements demonstrate that we are still managing to attract foreign direct investment in spite of the current economic climate,.

Last night, the Tánaiste outlined how Departments, the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, FÁS and other State agencies are pulling together to focus on jobs and growth in the short to medium term. When we needed agencies such as ANCO and Manpower, they worked for us. FÁS and the other agencies are critical to employment and the experience they have gained through the programmes they have put in place will allow for a sustained focus on jobs.

I made the point at a meeting with industry representatives last night that if one is without a job, one does not pay tax. It is in everybody's interest to ensure that as many people as possible remain in employment and that we seek alternatives for those who lose their jobs.

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