Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

The biggest problem is the scale of the Government's response. I accept some action has been taken but unemployment is the largest problem facing the country. It is the greatest social and economic crisis before it. Unemployment benefit accounts for half the deficit and yet the additional resources the Government has put into tackling it amount to somewhere between €100 million and €150 million. It requires a much greater response.

Will the Tánaiste agree that to bring down unemployment requires the investment of €1 billion, one seventh of what her colleague overpaid the banks? Will she agree with Fine Gael's suggestions to keep capital spending going, cut employers' PRSI, increase community employment schemes and deliver internships for graduates? It is those kinds of measures that will make a difference. The scale of the Tánaiste's response so far, however, has not been adequate. Largely it has been one of corporate welfare rather than supporting the people who really need it.

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