Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Deputy Boyd Barrett seems to think he is the only person who meets workers and real people. I do that on a regular basis and I can testify that the Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation has met a range of manufacturing industry representatives. I have met with a number of senior figures from firms throughout the country. I have not met with industry blocs but I have asked the Department to see if we can get an appropriate time to meet with groups of chief executives to discuss that issue.

Deputy Boyd Barrett talks about the range of opinions and asks when I will consult with workers. The jobs initiative yesterday is specifically about the unemployed, those who were workers and who want to be workers. The academics at the other end may well have the view that we can jolt the economy by getting rid of the budget deficit in one year. I do not want to give the economy a lethal injection like that. People are entitled to their views and can write reports and articles but on this side of the House we must deal with real people and their lives and make decisions that affect the country; that is what we intend to do.

It is a constant process of meeting workers and real people and those who have ideas about how to improve the situation. If the Deputy has any worthwhile proposals about job creation, I would like to hear them. Some of the proposals I have heard in the last month, however, would certainly not help this country.

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