Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Níl mise ag seasamh anseo ag déanamh ráitis ar son Aviva. Tá siad ag caint leis na hoibrithe agus muid anseo. Níl na mion ráitis agamsa agus mé ag seasamh anseo. I do not determine the salary scales for the employees of Aviva, but I am concerned about the general situation in terms of our competitiveness as a country. This is the difficult road the Government must travel with the people to ensure the country remains competitive and that we can protect jobs, create new ones and achieve my ambition by 2016 of proving that this is the best small country in the world in which to do business. That is why, despite the opposition of the Deputy, we must change the structure of many things in this country such as legal services, the cost of medical services and so many other areas that require to be changed for the betterment of all the people and the economic competitiveness of the country.

The Deputy is aware that industry statistics show that the figures in respect of general motor and home insurance have dropped by 20% in the past two years. That is due to the fact that there are fewer houses, cars and businesses. The figures in respect of life assurance and pensions have dropped by more than 30%. Since 2009 Aviva has been indicating it intends to restructure its 12 businesses across Europe, excluding the United Kingdom and the Benelux countries. That means there is serious concern in this country about the workforce. In so far as the Government is concerned, the facilities and assistance of IDA Ireland will be available. The checking as to whether the European assistance fund can be made available will be carried out rapidly by the Department of Education and Skills. We want to move to a point where we can continue to focus on reducing our cost base, increasing our competitiveness and proving our attractiveness for continued locational investment in this country.

In response to Deputy Martin I said I had met IFSC representatives. The Clearing House Group which works under the auspices of the Department of the Taoiseach will continue to emphasise the essential items we must provide and the actions we must take to ensure the country will continue to be seen as competitive. I do not speak for the Aviva board, but I am concerned about the announcement which will affect so many workers. I understand that from next March for the following two years the outsourced jobs will be based in this country and that IDA Ireland stands ready on the Minister's instructions to assist the company in so far as it can.

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