Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

The Labour Party remains committed to significant State involvement in a modern dynamic economy. The State can play a direct role in fostering economic growth or help provide the skills and supports that foster private sector growth. Both are worthy of support. An asset is not strategic simply because it is owned by the State. Such an argument is worthy of Deputy Joe Higgins. The world has moved on.

I welcome Deputy O Caoláin's interest in my party's history tonight. We will be writing a history of the Labour Party to commemorate our centenary. It will be much more wholesome and more civilised reading than the history of his party.

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