Michael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this important motion. I support the Government amendment to it.

A great deal has happened during the past week. The Government brought together the various State agencies to ensure that they are focused on driving forward during the next four to five years to ensure that the maximum number of jobs will be created. Deputy Brian Hayes referred to the 1.8 million people in employment. It is vital that we ensure that those people's jobs are protected and sustained. The Government took steps in recent years, in the context of PRSI, the stabilisation fund, and so on, to provide assistance to companies in their quest to retain jobs.

The decision on the part of Fine Gael to try to stop the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills from travelling to the United States was highly regrettable. It shows up Fine Gael as being very short-sighted. The Tánaiste's trip is promotional in nature and will take her to destinations across the US.

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