Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I am sure the Deputy wants to see those people who are unfortunately on the live register have the opportunity to get a job and be able to contribute meaningfully to our society and country, as they want to do.

The focus here is on the achieving of the principle, which has been agreed, of a reduction in interest rates of countries in the EFSF bailout situation, which incudes Ireland. We are measuring up to those commitments and conditions. The point has been accepted and agreed by practically everybody that an interest rate reduction should be applied here but there is the principle of unanimity, which works both ways. From that point of view, the Ministers for Finance were given the responsibility, devolved from the Heads of Government, and I have every confidence in our Minister for Finance to conclude that successfully.

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