Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

While I recognise that there has been collapse in demand in the economy, the volume of demand is not invariable but changes as businesses adapt to different circumstances. For example, some businesses will open on Sundays to win more opportunities to trade and create employment. They will adapt to respond to opportunities in the tourism sector. The Government has set a target of attracting an additional 1 million tourists and has abolished the travel tax, cut the VAT rate and reduced the lower rate of employer PRSI. In doing so, it will make the relevant sectors more competitive and create opportunities for further employment.

We are told by an expert group that the JLC and ERO agreements are creating an inflexibility that is undermining competitiveness and our ability to respond to opportunities. We are seeking to reform these agreements to ensure the relevant sectors can respond to opportunities. While I do not pretend there is not a problem with demand, we must try to create employment within a demand constrained economy. This requires flexibility and competitiveness to win new markets and attract tourists.

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