Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)

I welcome the fact that Europe has agreed to the adoption of the 2020 strategy. However, strategies are one thing but their implementation is another. I look forward to the Taoiseach's publication of the national reform programme, which will set out our individual targets in the various areas. I recommend strongly that we should use our committee structure to establish these targets. We should put forward proposals for debate in each of these areas such that people on committees can use such a structure to invite the views of various interested bodies and have their input in the preparation of such plans. We under-utilise the talent that exists not only on the backbenches in these Houses, but among the public. I refer also to the willingness to be of assistance if structures are put in place. I have spoken on many occasions here about the need to have a proper committee structure and I hold strong views on the matter. The number of committees should be dramatically reduced. We should have eight or nine strong committees covering various important areas and they should be properly resourced and given the powers and opportunity to facilitate an input from the public, whether accountancy firms or whoever.

I hold the same view with regard to legislation. We send Bills to committee and no one knows what is going on. Amendments are introduced because of pressure applied once a Bill is published. All of this could be avoided if the heads of a Bill were sent to a committee in the first instance. It would be preferable to let the committee seek the views of the various interested parties and, before a Bill is finalised and presented to both Houses, the input would have already been received from these groups. At that stage, the Bill would pass through the House a good deal quicker on Committee Stage and there would not be long, drawn-out Committee Stage procedure.

I urge the Taoiseach to be mindful that committees cover the five areas set out. Let us consider job creation. Naturally, we are all in favour of job creation. How do we create jobs? I refer to the area for which I was responsible until my recent appointment. I was the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security. The Taoiseach has heard me making noises previously about our failure to put in place the various structures and legislation to enable us to develop a natural resource which, some day, please God, will see Ireland as a net exporter of energy. I refer to the interconnection with Great Britain through Northern Ireland to Scotland links and ultimately with France and the north-eastern part of Europe. I refer to the vast potential into which we could tap. We have a natural resource and we should be leading research into the development of wave power and offshore wind power. Jobs will flow as a result and there will be cheaper costs for industry in terms of the production of goods through cheaper electricity and so on. Ultimately, it is a matter for all of us, not only the Government, through proper structures having an input into these national, realistic plans. I believe a commitment exists to achieve this if we are given the opportunity to do so.

I am beyond my 60th year now. In my time, my mother and father had to find the money to send me to secondary school. Thankfully, we now have so-called free second level education. It was a great struggle for my parents and I believe many parents were in the same boat. However, there is now a great opportunity for people to get at least a second level education. I refer to my generation. Numerous men and women with whom I was familiar never had such an opportunity simply because their parents could not afford it. Access to education is the most important thing for Europe, whether first, second or third level. This is a fundamental principle that we must defend. We must use the opportunity not only to continue with the same type of leaving certificate and apprenticeship training.

I visited the Dún Laoghaire College of Further Education which is renowned for apprenticeship training. I refer to the difficulties caused as a result of the downturn in the construction industry. Why should someone who wishes to be a carpenter or plumber have to find a sponsor? Why should one not be able to leave school with a desire to be a plumber and proceed to third level education and become a plumber? During my training, I will be taught how to manage books and form my own business. That should be part of business training. Why should I need to be sponsored by people? If something goes wrong and I cannot find a sponsor, what do I do? If one wants to be a doctor, one does not have to find a doctor or surgeon to be a sponsor. This is why we are way behind in looking to the future and changing our current system, although it should not be changed for the sake of it. We should encourage entrepreneurs who have skills with their hands and not only their brains. Some people have significant manual skills and they can move from one task to the next. I, unfortunately, do not have that talent. However, many do and they should be trained to be entrepreneurs in their own right. By doing so, we will eliminate the black economy where it is case of, "Give us €50 and we'll forget about it". We must face up to these issues and be realistic. I hope in drafting the plan through the Joint Committee on Education and Science, we will use the opportunity to discuss how we should change and consult. Students, particularly those who have been through various types of colleges, and not only the education authorities should be consulted about where improvements are needed.

I am a great believer in the European system. Thanks be to goodness in these difficult times that we are part of the Union. By sharing its resources, it can get us all out of the mess we are in. Let us all contribute to maximising the great resources we have, particularly our natural resources. Our major contribution will not only be securing energy for Europe through interconnectors but also by becoming an exporter of that energy. I look forward to debates on this issue.

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