Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

There has been a significant reduction in unemployment. In addition, the Government is continuing with its strategy to focus on job creation through the strategic investment programme we have announced and initiatives such as the global Irish economic forum which will take place at the weekend and is intended to bring together people who are in a position to create employment and encourage investment in this country. The pension levy is a temporary measure designed to fund the jobs initiative which has already shown that it is working both in respect of reducing the number of people who are unemployed and creating jobs. That is the priority for the Government and the way to economic recovery.

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