Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Multinational companies today have a far greater research content than was the case five years ago. The reforms announced by the Taoiseach today will streamline in particular the fourth level research arm of the State. It will be brought under the aegis of a single Department to be called the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation to ensure a strong synergy between this research commitment, the enterprise economy and the recently-published report by the innovation task force. Given our experiences, I believe this to be a good and solid measure to take. Although the research landscape has been transformed, given the scale of the issue now facing us, we must streamline it as we move forward. Second, I refer to skills and employment. The proposed move of the skills and training section of FÁS to the Department of Education and Skills also is a positive step. It also is clear that the Government transformed and expanded the education sector in the past decade. A variety of programmes are in place, particularly in the post-leaving certificate sector in what now are called colleges of further education. For example, the success in animation exemplified by the film "Avatar" was not a one-day wonder. Colleges of further education, such as Ballyfermot Senior College, Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa, Cork, Cork College of Commerce and others throughout the country have made a distinctive contribution to the economy that has been supported by the Government in the past decade. The marrying of this sector with the FÁS element will reduce an element of competition that was taking place between various State agencies and bodies in the field of skills provision. It will streamline it further and will simplify and enhance it. Its alignment with second level education and with the colleges of further education sector in particular constitutes a good switch.

When one puts together the research and skills area with those of income support, labour activation and preparing people for a return to employment, a single theme emerges, namely, jobs. While one must be clear that the economic crisis being experienced at present is global in nature, new ways are needed to work on one of our most significant challenges, that is, the hundreds of thousands of people who are unemployed. The challenge is to activate people and in particular to transform into work the budgetary allocation in welfare and elsewhere. Deputy Ó Cuív will be taking on this significant challenge and the changes the Taoiseach has made in this regard makes sense.

I believe Deputy Gilmore referred earlier to the Taoiseach's record in respect of employment in the past two years in office. Public finances are key to employment and job creation, as are the banking structure and system. While they are fundamental, the enterprise side comprises the third pillar in this regard. I refer to the innovation task force, the commitment to research, science and development and to Ireland's indigenous enterprises, which still are strong and resilient. Our exports have been more resilient than most in what one could describe as the modern side of the economy. I acknowledge the construction and banking sectors took a massive hit, as did the retail sector as a consequence. However, the life sciences, the ICT sector and the internationally traded services sector still are performing relatively well, despite the enormous collapse globally and the depressed demand for products and services internationally. The Government has been preparing the country to put it on the right path to benefit in the first instance from an economic upturn that undoubtedly will occur towards the latter part of 2010 and to ensure the correct orientation and policy platforms are in place to drive forward the country and place it on the road to recovery.

As for the international perspective on Ireland, I visited the United States for St. Patrick's week and have discussed the matter with other returning Ministers. We have passed the Lisbon treaty and have transformed the international perception of Ireland. Moreover, I note the international perception of the policies the Government has taken differs greatly from domestic perception. The overriding view of the international community is that Ireland has taken the correct policy decisions to take itself out of this economic crisis. This perception is shared across the globe if one talks to economists, media commentators, people in business or in any walk of life. They are somewhat further away and will state that while the measures are extremely painful and are difficult for people in both the public or private sectors, in essence Ireland is taking the correct policy decisions with regard to the public finances, the creation of a vehicle to deal with an unprecedented banking crisis and our focus on an enterprise export-oriented economy. As for the decisions the Taoiseach has taken today, the appointments and promotions are well merited and I believe the significant restructuring will endure in the years to come. Were people not so blinded by their needs to oppose, I believe that privately, many Members on the other side of the House would consider the policies being implemented today to be highly sensible.

See this speech in context