Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 1:

To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following:

"commends the Government for its management of the economy and the public finances by implementing policies which will lay the foundation for a return to prosperity and which are aimed at stabilising and revitalising the banking system, restoring sustainability to the public finances, underpinning employment creation, assisting those in search of work or in need of training and further developing a green, clean, higher technological economy;

notes in particular:

— the approval of the European Commission and support from the European Central Bank for our recovery strategy;

— our underlying economic strengths which include world-class modern export industries, a pro-business environment and a flexible labour market; and

— our significant international competitive advantage ranking Ireland as:

— 1st for real corporate taxes;

— 1st for investment incentives;

— 1st for foreign investor freedom;

— 1st for skilled labour;

— 3rd for flexibility and adaptability of people; and

— 4th for labour productivity;

acknowledges Government actions in support of activation and training through:

— its €1 billion funding for a range of labour force measures which will assist those who have lost their jobs;

— the doubling of capacity in job search support, training and work experience programmes;

— the Work Place Programme which includes special provision for graduate placement;

and

— special arrangements for over 3,600 redundant apprentices;

re-affirms its support for Government actions aimed at the enterprise sector through:

— the creation of a €100 million Enterprise Stabilisation Fund;

— the establishment of a Credit Supply Clearing Group to address the credit supply

issue;

— implementation of the Smart Economy Strategy;

— the roll-out of the National Broadband Scheme; and

— policies aimed at reducing energy costs in the economy."

I wish to share time with the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Conor Lenihan.

See this speech in context