Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)

From the Taoiseach's response and the comments that have been made around the jobs initiative, with the Minister, Deputy Howlin, making the same points on radio this morning, I do not doubt that he is concerned about dealing with the jobs issue, as is everyone. There is, however, a significant difference of opinion about how to do that. Much of the emphasis in terms of who the Taoiseach is talking to and who is advising him is very much to one side of the economic perspective. My question is about the extent to which the Taoiseach will engage with workers, civil society groups and academics who are suggesting that we are moving in precisely the wrong direction to deal with the jobs crisis. That opens debates about the IMF programme. Is there a willingness to engage seriously in new forums in this Chamber and externally in terms of who the Taoiseach meets and talks to, particularly those who have a different perspective on how to deal with the situation and who feel the current path is unsustainable and will not work?

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