Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

The Government has many economists that work for it. The IMF and International Labour Organisation have carried out detailed studies. A recent study by them contains a message for the Government and the Taoiseach's party. The IMF-ILO study states:

Fiscal plans should be fair. There should be specific measures to protect the most vulnerable from the effects of the consolidation.

The risks involved with high levels of unemployment mean that economic policy should have a bias towards growth. There should be no fetish for austerity and targeted measures aimed at vulnerable groups of workers should be retained. Alongside that, countries should boost minimum wages, offer social protection and encourage collective bargaining.

When America entered the war after 1941 and the attack on Pearl Harbour, the anniversary of which is today, Churchill went to Newfoundland to meet Roosevelt where they set their aims for what their countries would be like after the war. What did Roosevelt insist, and Churchill agreed, on inserting in the war aims of the new society that would emerge after all the difficulties? He insisted on building in social protection and employment and the growth of a society that had a social construct.

One day this recession will end. We know that. If the Taoiseach keeps having much to do with it, it will be a long time before it will end.

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