John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Mitchell O'Connor for sharing a couple of minutes with me. I welcome the opportunity to address the House on the contents of the motion. As a representative from the south east, where the recent announcement of TalkTalk's closure is devastating and will have a knock on effect for the region, I urge the Ministers for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Education and Skills to bring their energies to bear on finding a national and regional solution to the jobs crisis.

After County Donegal, the south-east region has the country's highest level of unemployment at more than 18%. The levels in counties Wexford and Kilkenny are slightly higher still. Contrary to the popular image, the Celtic tiger's presence in the part of the country that I represent was not strong.

I commend the Government, in particular the Minister for Education and Skills, on the swift action taken to announce the criteria for the establishment of a technological university for the south east. The project has the potential to have a positive impact on our region. Ours is the only region without a university. We have the lowest average household incomes and the lowest third level attendance rate. The political, geographical and economic cases for the university's development are strong.

I am slightly confused by some of the issues raised in the Technical Group's motion. It refers to the Government repaying unguaranteed bondholders. Since coming to power, our policy has been not to repay unguaranteed bondholders in full. The motion also refers to the need for a fair day's pay for a fair day's work. One of the Government's first actions was to increase the minimum wage and introduce the jobs initiative.

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