Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

Dúirt an tAire go dtiocfadh an lá geal gréine agus an lá go mbeadh buarthaí na tíre seo thart, ach ní thiocfaidh sé go dtí go ndíbreofar an Rialtas seo as oifig. Is ansin a bheidh an breacadh nó fáinne geal an lae againn, nuair a bheidh lucht Fhianna Fáil imithe as Rialtas, do chum glóire Dé agus onóra na hÉireann. Caithfidh sin a tharlú chomh luath agus is féidir. Beidh toghchán ginearálta againn sar i bhfad chun sin a chur i gcrích.

The time is here and the time is now for change. This country obviously needs a change of Government, as well as a new dawn to which the Minister referred. However, it should be a dawn that is without the soldiers of destiny and without the legacy they have left behind. It is the most appalling legacy ever in the history of this State. This is best measured by a press conference that was held after the Government press conference last week. It was held in Government Buildings in the heart of the Department of the Taoiseach, right under his office, but it was the IMF that was holding forth. This is a sign of who Fianna Fáil has left running this country at present. The IMF and the European Central Bank are dictating policy to us in respect of things that will and must happen. Not alone are they dictating this from the heart of the Taoiseach's office but they also will inspect the Government's homework on a three-monthly basis. Every quarter, the progress that has or has not been made on their terms - not on the Government's - will be decided and depending on what that might be, I presume there will be changes under the memorandum of understanding. For instance, there could be changes in our interest rate and they will be dictating to us once again.

Most of all, this country desires change and reform and hope. The only way to get hope is by having a change of Government and by having new policies, new Ministers and new parties in government that will bring about such change. In the dying days of the Government, one must put behind one the fact that the Government's day is done and its race is run. It now is time for a new Government to come into being. Members on this side of the House must articulate the policies and changes they seek and to offer that hope, change and reform that is so badly needed.

In respect of education, if there is to be a future for the citizens or hope for change for the future, it will be with young people. Such hope must reside in how the education given to them may be improved and how they can be made more fit for the new jobs that will come down the road. This will not be easy because many of our young people will be obliged to leave our shores because of the lack of employment opportunities at present. Nevertheless, it is an appalling disgrace that the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills today is returning €5 million out of the FÁS apprenticeship course budget that she was unable to spend. I refer to money that should be spent on retraining or to help the 7,000 apprentices who are unable to qualify because of the absence of jobs and places for them to train. In respect of education and training, the Minister of State, Deputy Haughey, is aware that approximately 180,000 citizens require upgrading from FETAC level 3 to FETAC levels 4 or 5. However, €22 million in total is being returned from the FÁS budget and will be spent elsewhere this year because the Government has failed to deliver training to the unemployed and has failed to deliver a new future to the aforementioned 7,000 apprentices who are without work and qualifications.

Moreover, the Government no longer is looking forward and most of its members are looking backwards. Last night witnessed the sad saga of Deputy Gormley talking about his sleepless nights. At least he has a bed in which to sleep, a car to pick him up and a job to go to even if he will become unemployed shortly. The point is that hundreds of thousands of people do not have those comforts but endure the same sleepless nights. The only hope one can give and the only change on can make is a general election and a new Government. When that comes, the changes that are needed will take place. An bhfuil mórán ama fágtha agam?

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