Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I know that Deputy Ó Cuív is a great student of history, and from my own knowledge of history, the master skipper and entire crew of the bád bán were Fianna Fáil over the decades. The emigration records of this country occurred during periods of Fianna Fáil Government. The commitment to reduce unemployment and create jobs is the Government's primary objective. The revenue from income tax on a year on year basis was up last year, which was the case for the first time in three years. The figures are broadly on target. It is true that from one heading to another, there is some variation, but when the November returns come in, we will have a fuller picture and we expect that to be broadly on target.

The Government has already introduced a jobs initiative which was successful. The Government is continuing its efforts to attract investment to this country. The attraction of investment to this country is dependent on the country's reputation being restored. We have made considerable progress on that. The commentary about Ireland on the day that the Deputy left office was embarrassing to read. It would be difficult to conceive of anybody seriously investing in this country in circumstances where that kind of commentary was being made about us. Following eight months of this Government's stewardship, the commentary being made about Ireland now is entirely different and is more conducive to attracting the kind of investment into this country that will create jobs.

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