Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

However, if this Government has had any failing in recent months, it has been a failure to communicate in simple terms to the wider public the steps we are taking, their rationale and the path on which they are taking us. In that context, while I consider today's motion a distraction from the serious work required by the House, I welcome the opportunity afforded by this motion to put on the record my work, and the work of this Government, to protect and sustain jobs, to assist those in search of work or in need of training and to sharpen Ireland's job creation and entrepreneurial offering.

See this speech in context