Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank him. As regards the mortgages situation, I have responded to questions from Deputy Martin and Deputy Adams. I refer to the range of issues in the Keane report, the consequences of the passage of the personal insolvency Bill through the parliamentary process and the fact that the banks have been recapitalised and, in a number of cases, they have the opportunity to write down mortgages by sitting down with each individual client borrower. The difference is between those who cannot pay and those who will not pay. However, having had discussions with the banks, I hope they will move on and make a real impression by releasing that pressure valve which exists in the case of so many people.

In reply to the Deputy's point about the jobs action programme, this is being overseen by the Department of the Taoiseach along with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Assistance in this work has been provided by two experts who have joined the Department of the Taoiseach from Forfás for the work of monitoring and overseeing the programme. The Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation will publish a report on the implementation of the action plan and the matters being dealt with. The agencies associated with individual Ministers and their Departments will respond by 9 March 2012 to a letter they will receive from the Department of the Taoiseach on this matter. The first quarter of the year will see a range of initiatives being implemented. I am launching an initiative next week entitled Succeeding in Ireland. This will provide an opportunity for the diaspora in America or Australia or wherever to be associated with the opportunity to recommend propositions for job opportunities. On each of those occasions I expect the quarterly published report can be debated in the House so that Deputies can give their views on whether the initiatives are bearing any fruit and whether the programme is up to date. I intend to see that the programme is implemented and Secretaries General, Ministers and the chief executives of the agencies involved will all receive this in writing and will be given the timelines within which they must respond.

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