Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)

This is an important motion. We in the Labour Party have our own views in regard to how to create and sustain employment and generate new jobs. Nevertheless, the thrust of this motion is important in so far as it is focused on the most important issue that will confront this country and its 4.5 million people, so it is critical we focus on it. It is an important issue confronting the Government at this time and it is disturbing to note the Government has not confronted the problem, irrespective of the fine speech by Tánaiste, Deputy Coughlan.

I freely admit there is no silver bullet that will deal with this problem but we need a comprehensive integrated plan and the Government simply does not have one. There is no innovation, no drive, no initiative, just the same old failed solutions signifying a Government bereft of ideas and drained of energy because it is in situ for too long. It is basically a clapped out Government, which is what happens. The epitome of this is the claim that an increase of 900 places on community employment schemes is an achievement.

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