Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I should wish Deputy Higgins a happy 2012. As he is aware, over the past two years the concept of dealing with unsubordinated bond investors has resulted in €15 billion being taken out of that category. The Deputy appreciates that this country is in a programme. He will also appreciate that, between January and October of last year, there was a movement of 125,000 people off the live register. Unfortunately, they were replaced by others, but it shows the extent of movement of labour. There was a reduction, admittedly a slight one, in unemployment numbers towards the end of 2011.

I am quite sure that, from the Deputy's own leadership of his party, he accepts that, where tax liability is due, taxes should be collected. I have already made the point that, if the Government got involved in some sort of communications plan arising from the transfer of data from the Department of Social Protection to the Revenue Commissioners, which they have had the power to do so since 2005, some 500,000 people would have been very upset about this. Pensioners fully understand that, if there is a liability, it should be paid. Clarity is being brought to those who received letters but where there is in fact no liability. I am quite sure that the Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners has confirmed the position where a very small liability is or may be due.

The Deputy talked about fighting against the plan and the troika. It is not a case of all-out war - it is a case of negotiating for a better position where the plan that this country is in is concerned. That meant being able to negotiate a substantial interest rate reduction, which was a substantial saving to the Irish taxpayer. It meant being able to renegotiate the conditions of the plan for the minimum wage and resulted in acceptance of Government proposals to exempt 330,000 people from the universal social charge. It also allowed for negotiation whereby the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform can discuss the question of how proceeds from any disposal of State assets will be used and achieve clarity of that so it can be dealt with on a case by case basis.

If the Deputy believes there is a better way the country can function given the extent of our borrowings every day because of the circumstances we are in, he must have been away for Christmas. The Government is focused on achieving the targets in the programme that runs for a further two years, achieving the targets set out in the budget presented by the Minister for Finance in December and focusing on the creation of jobs and job opportunities wherever and whenever possible. I am sure the Deputy would want to assist in that work.

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