Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

He seems to assume the only role and responsibility of government is to involve itself in this. We have made the point on many occasions that the big difference here will be growth and economic development. This is why the Government set out to retain the structure of the business models we have put in place with no increase in income tax and no increased taxes on jobs and work and an action plan that is now being implemented with 270 proposals to open the gates for business and small business to get on the road for employment, retention of employees and increasing productivity and exports.

On my recent visit to China almost 100 companies were in the business of signing contracts for exports which will mean jobs in this country. As I said to Deputy Adams, while there are difficulties in every country in Europe, since last April I have been pointing out that the road to the future is a balance between good housekeeping which we must do here ourselves and having the single market grow to its potential. This means being more competitive, cutting costs and shaving excess where it exists. This is evident in the decisions of the Government to increase research, innovation and development funds so opportunities for careers and jobs can take place. I invite Deputy Boyd Barrett to listen to the voices of workers throughout the country who are in the position now, who can see their companies and firms beginning to grow and who can see these opportunities. Every country will always have political difficulties and Prime Minister Rutte explained at Council meetings on a number of occasions the difficulty he has had in holding together a coalition government of a number of parties. This is our decision here, where there is a stable Government focused on the priority of its people of dealing with our public financial problem-----

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