Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Sinn Féin and the Labour Party jointly tabled this motion on unemployment to implore, once again, the Government to act effectively in respect of the jobs crisis. The Taoiseach's prediction that 400,000 people would be unemployed by the end of 2009 has already come true and we have not even yet reached the end of the sixth month of the year. Those people and their families have a right to expect from the Government a sense of urgency, a strategic plan and effective measures to address the unemployment crisis. They, like those of us on this side of the House, are sorely disappointed with the Government's record in this regard.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment listed a number of measures she claims the Government is either implementing or about to implement to save and create jobs. A glaring anomaly exists in this regard, however, because unemployment is rising on a daily basis. Jobs are being lost each day and there has been no stemming of the tide of unemployment. If one were to ask an employer in any one of our constituencies to name one measure the Government has implemented to assist him or her in maintaining his or her workforce, I warrant they would have great difficulty in doing so.

The measures Sinn Féin has put forward are concrete in nature. Deputy Morgan outlined a jobs retention scheme that would keep workers off welfare and in employment, lower the costs of doing business and assist in keeping businesses operating, as well as ensuring that they have access to essential credit. The Tánaiste claimed that the Government is investing in education at all levels to ensure that the workforce will be suitably skilled to take advantage of the turnaround in the economy. It is all very well making claims, but the Government has seriously reduced the education budget. The claims being made by those opposite do not stack up.

The reintroduction of third level fees - if that is indeed an eventuality to which we can look forward - will further curtail the ability of young people to reach their full potential and prepare themselves for their eventual entry to the job market by denying them the opportunity to improve their skill sets.

The Tánaiste also claimed that adjustments are being made in respect of labour costs to secure employment. It is clear that she is referring to addressing the so-called minimum wage issue. Is it the Government's intention to cut the minimum wage? Are general wages across all sectors to be depressed? The Government is being completely short-sighted if it proceeds to do these things. Let us make no mistake, the minimum wage is an incentive to work. It gives people a modicum of money over and above that which they require to meet their basic needs. That money helps the economy to thrive because it gives people the opportunity to make choices in respect of their respective spending power. If the minimum wage is taken away, the Government will only succeed in further depressing the economy and making a bad situation even worse.

Much can be done to address the cost of doing business. Sinn Féin has called for the question of energy and other utility costs to be addressed. It has also called for commercial rents to be made negotiable under legislation.

See this speech in context