Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Over the course of the past 18 months, the Government has had to lead Ireland through an unprecedented period in our history. It has been no easy task. Everyone in this House knows that the Government has had to contend with the most severe downturn in the nation's recent economic history. The roots and causes of this financial crisis, both domestic and external, have been well documented in this Chamber. We are all conscious that as a result of the most severe global economic circumstances since the 1930s, Ireland, as a small open economy, has been particularly badly affected, losing more than 10% of our national income in two years.

As a Government, we have had to take extremely difficult decisions. Those decisions are necessary to deal effectively with the challenges facing Ireland and put our economy back on a track of sustainable growth. Our approach in tackling the issue has been multi-layered. The Government, under the leadership of the Taoiseach, has done trojan work in helping to stabilise our public finances and making headway in dealing with the crisis in our banks. That has taken energy, leadership and a willingness to put the necessary tough choices above the fascination that the parties opposite have with opinion polls.

As a result of the difficult choices the Government has made, Ireland is on the right path to recovery, but we still have a journey to go and there are difficult steps ahead. We must build on the progress that has been made and not become complacent. The changes the Taoiseach has announced today are about bringing fresh impetus to tackling the huge challenges we face as well as ensuring that every available apparatus of government is working efficiently towards getting Ireland back to prosperity. In framing our plan to see us through this period, we have been conscious of the many positives going for us in this State. These include our low debt to GDP ratio going into this period, which was critical; our pro-business and pro-employment tax regime; our business regulation that recognises the need for control and certainty without overburdening enterprise; and our continuing commitment to investment in infrastructure, education and, critically, research and development.

Above all the other positives we have, however, stand our people and, in particular, our young, highly educated workforce. Ireland has one of the youngest workforces in Europe, with 36% under 25 years of age. Among OECD countries, Ireland's 25 to 34 year olds have an above average level of educational qualification, with 40% of this group having third level education. Six out of every ten students in Ireland graduate with a degree in engineering, science or business, and a significant number are proficient in more than one language. This will confer economic advantages on Ireland in the decades ahead. Our young people are key to our future economic success. Equipping them with the skills necessary for the Irish economy of tomorrow is a pivotal element in developing Ireland as the innovation island.

Our commitment to education, training and skills as the engine of that progression is firm. Now is the time to take a further step-up in our provision of education and training, ensuring that it is world class in its outcomes. We must move away from the traditional approach of teacher-led instruction and the memorising of information towards a greater emphasis on critical thinking. We need to ensure that our students acquire the key skill sets that enable them to be flexible and independent learners throughout their lives.

The Government is committed to the prioritisation of education and training at all levels to the greatest extent possible. The House is well aware of the funding and resources I have put in place in the past 22 months for training and activation. The close aligning of that training and activation work with the further education and training activities of the VECs, the institutes of technology and programmes such as Youthreach provides an opportunity for the streamlining and strengthening of education and training provision. I look forward to the challenge ahead in this area.

For me and for this Government, the changes the Taoiseach has announced today are not about politics as usual. They are about our children's future. This is about generating the right environment for education, for enterprise and for employment to flourish, so we can renew prosperity. There is not a day to lose and every decision has to be weighed up with this imperative in mind.

Tá a fhios agam go soiléir an dúshlán mhór atá romham sa Roinn úr seo. Tá mé ag dréim go mór le comhoibriú leis na pairtnéirí ar fad i gcursaí oideachais agus oiliúna, ar mhaithe le leas an phobail agus na tíre. Cuirim béim mhor ar spiorad fiontraíochta a chruthú i gcláracha oideachais agus oiliúna ag achan leibhéal. Ar nós na Teachtaí eile a labhair go dtí seo, ba mhaith liom mo comhghairdeas a ghabháil do mo chomhghleacaithe a fuair onóir mar Airí agus mar Airí Stáit. Tá a fhios agam go rinneadar sár-obair nuair a bhíodar ina Airí Stáit. Go pearsanta, ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a ghabháil dóibh.

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