Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Deputy should understand that in so far as it is possible, the opportunities for people here to have gainful employment and to carve out careers should be achieved. I would like to believe that we can rectify the problems of our country by meeting the challenges lying ahead and that this will in time provide an opportunity of return for those who had to leave our country. I come from a part of the country where involuntary emigration was endemic. I understand it. I do not want a flood of the most talented people we have to continue to leave because there are no opportunities for them here. Those opportunities will not be here to the extent we want unless we change the structure of how things have been. On the other hand, many opportunities are being created here now. Companies are being established by bright and energetic young people who see the future with enormous excitement and enthusiasm. They see huge potential and huge opportunities in this country. It is part of the discourse of normal politics. I share everyone's concern about the requirement on the Government to do its utmost in the interests of ensuring people have a chance to live and work here if that is what they want to do. I assure the House that the Government's focus is on that. We cannot implement our entire programme in the first 100 days. The Deputy quoted from Fine Gael's five-point plan. I am glad it is up in his office.

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