Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)

The Deputy had not been elected as a Member of Parliament, a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly or a Teachta Dála. Be that as it may, I want the Deputy to understand this Government has for the past four months been changing the agenda that had previously been pursued in Europe. That agenda has changed through our diplomatic and political connections, as well as what we have been putting on the table about the need for Europe to change direction and deal with the European problem. That is why the central issues at tomorrow's emergency meeting of the eurozone countries deal with the issues put on the table by Ireland.

In general, we are attempting to have unemployed people engage with the system whereby retraining, upskilling and career opportunities can be made available for them. I want to see as many people as possible involved in gainful employment and because the situation is changing, there is a need for upskilling and retraining. That is as it should be and it is the focus of the Government. Arising from the comments made yesterday, I hope that when we return in the early autumn to discuss job initiatives and proposals that Opposition Members will have constructive ideas on how the Government can engage and make further changes rather than live in a land of unreality such as Deputy Adams has been putting forward.

See this speech in context