Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Budgets indicate ranges of tax increases, tax changes and so forth. This jobs initiative was well flagged before the general election. It is part of the programme for Government to stimulate the indigenous economy and give a sense of confidence. I recognise, as does the Deputy, that there is a loss of consumer confidence in this country. The savings ratio of Irish people is very high at present. If one is to restore confidence so there can be job creation and so we can create opportunities, of which there are many, it is important that the Government provides an initiative in that regard. That is our focus. That includes looking at the question of providing some assurance for credit in respect of business where they cannot get it at present. I am quite sure Deputy Adams, in his capacity as a new Deputy, will have had constituents tell him that their overdrafts have been cut, that they cannot get credit and that despite the talk that goes on, there is little credit going out there. We need to be able to assure business with some degree of certainty that credit will be made available to it. That will happen now because of the decisions made in respect of the banking sector. We are talking about a jobs initiative as distinct from what the Deputy calls "a jobs budget".

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