Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)

People are afraid of where the Government is leading the country. As Deputy O'Donnell stated, the only way to lead the country out of the crisis is to have a general election. An election would give citizens an opportunity to give a clear mandate to a new Government to lead us out of the current problems.

I listened attentively to speaker after speaker yesterday and not one Minister referred to a stimulus package for employment. The Government has ignored the fact that we will not emerge from the current crisis without such a package.

The House debated small and medium-sized businesses last week. The Government has failed to recognise that the SME sector is the lifeblood of the economy. Small businesses are closing their doors every day of the week as a result of Government policies. False promises were made in recent years.

Speakers referred to the tourism and agriculture sectors, both of which can help us overcome the current problems. The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, did not propose any plans to assist the agriculture sector. Many young people from a farming background are emigrating. They could be helped to get off jobseeker's allowance if the Government provided incentives.

It is unfortunate that my speaking time has elapsed. I was interrupted most ignorantly from the benches opposite.

See this speech in context