Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

I do not regard these figures as a cause for great adulation. However, in the past three years when the Deputy's party was in government, 350,000 jobs were lost. While the small increase of 17,000 jobs in the last quarter does not represent a source of great joy, it shows the labour market is stabilising. I am also encouraged by growth trends in exports and manufacturing output and other significant indicators of a pick-up. This is a fragile recovery and more will have to be done to bolster our efforts in this area.

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