Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

Is rún an-thábhachtach í an rún atá os ár gcomhair inniu. Baineann an rún leis an dífhostaíocht, an eacnamaíocht agus straitéis an Rialtais chun rudaí a chur chun cinn sa tír seo.

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this issue. The Opposition's main focus is attacking the Government and highlighting the problems that exist. Deputies are aware of those problems because they are exposed to them each day in their constituency offices. We are well aware of the difficulties unemployment causes for individuals, families and the State. We know what the problems are and we know that we have to find a solution to them.

The Government has put in place a range of solutions, ideas, plans and strategies. For many months, we have been accused of having no plan. When the Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy strategy was announced earlier in the week, however, we were accused of rehashing old plans. The Opposition cannot have it both ways. I am glad that the new strategy has been put in place. The State agencies are at the cutting edge of attracting employment. It is our duty and responsibility and their duty, responsibility and privilege to attract as much foreign direct investment as possible. Those in the employ of the State agencies, who are very able people, want to work to the best of their ability. The targets they have been set are both exacting and necessary. I am sure they will be achieved. I have every confidence in the agencies. In recent days, many naysayers, including those on the Opposition benches, have asked what these agencies know about jobs. I am of the view that they are at the cutting edge in that regard.

There are a number of aspects of the Fine Gael motion I would support. It refers, for example, to the reform of the bankruptcy laws. What would be the reaction of Fine Gael or Labour if we were to propose such reform? The first accusation to be made would be to the effect that we were bailing out Seán FitzPatrick. However, when the proposal is put forward by Fine Gael, it is seen as reasonable. Those opposite will always try to highlight the bad news stories and accuse us of trying to do something for the few rather than the many. Fianna Fáil has always been about the many, not the few. When we introduce bankruptcy reform legislation, we will look forward to the full support of Fine Gael and the Labour Party. I am sure at that stage we will not be accused of trying to assist the few and that the Opposition will recognise that our aim will be to try to encourage people to take reasonable risks in the future.

On occasion I am obliged to question why we do not use more money from the National Pensions Reserve Fund to assist capital infrastructure projects, particularly those relating to broadband services, school building projects and road development programmes. The Government has a massive capital investment programme in place but this is not acknowledged by the Opposition, which almost acts as if it does not exist. I have always been of the view that moneys from the National Pensions Reserve Fund should be invested in capital projects. I accept that such projects would have to realise a return on such investment, either through charges for broadband or road tolls. In addition, some form of public private partnership should apply in respect of school building projects. However, we would then be faced with all the usual complaints and motions in the House with regard to why people would be obliged to pay such charges and tolls. The answer in this regard is that any investment must be paid back and that a return for the taxpayer must be achieved.

The Government is doing everything possible in the current climate. It has been hit by the greatest financial crisis in the history of the State. In addition, Europe has been struck by the largest financial crisis since the Great Depression in the 1930s. Governments have found it difficult to react and to identify what needs to be done. The Irish Government is no exception in that regard and has encountered real difficulties. However, I am of the view that it has risen to the challenge. People are beginning to realise that and to lose heart with regard to the shrill rhetoric which accompanies opposition at all costs. The apotheosis of the latter occurred earlier in the week when, for purely political reasons, the Tánaiste was almost prevented from travelling abroad in order to try to attract jobs to this country.

Jobs are the focus of the Government. The attraction and creation of jobs lie at the heart of what it is doing. We will not be in a position to attract or create employment until the uncertainty relating to the banks has been resolved. It would not be possible to attract further foreign direct investment if, as the Opposition parties wanted us to do last night, we were to suspend the bank guarantee scheme or allow it to lapse.

I am glad to fully support the Government in respect of its banking and economic policies. While we do not like what we have to do, we know it is essential for the future of the country that we get finality to the banking crisis and keep foreign direct investment coming in. Public representatives and public servants need to work together to the best of our abilities to get people working again.

See this speech in context