Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I have already raised the issue of the austerity programme that has been imposed on the Irish people and the difficulties we foresee. Energy costs have risen due to external factors. There is a loss of confidence in consumer demand, which must be stimulated. That is why the Government will respond to that issue in the coming weeks by introducing a jobs initiative to stimulate consumer demand.

It is perfectly obvious that one has to have a growth strategy to grow the economy. As somebody who has an interest in this, the Deputy will be well aware of what we could achieve over the next ten years if we did not have to pay out €3 billion every March in promissory notes signed up to by the last Government.

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