Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

Yes, post a "Yes" vote.

First, we must ensure there is stability and certainty for the currency. We have seen much volatility with regard to the euro over a period of time and it is not in the interests of the people of the country that this volatility continues. The euro must settle down and we must have a stable currency. It is our currency and this stability is necessary to underpin confidence among investors who create jobs here. Our way out of the economic difficulty is to create jobs and get the economy to grow. The passing of the stability treaty will provide this confidence for investors, and since the beginning of this year we have seen a series of job announcements made by some of the biggest multinationals in the world who are coming here to invest. We want to continue this flow of inward investment to the country and the creation of jobs here. These investors must have certainty about the euro and Ireland's relationship with it. This is why we need a "Yes" vote this day week.

The stability treaty is not the only instrument and means to get our economy to recover. This is why we need a growth agenda and why setting down a clear agenda for Europe's economic growth at yesterday's meeting was so important. A range of issues will be worked on between now and the June summit meeting. These issues include using structural funds from throughout the European Union which have not been drawn down and spent, particularly to address youth unemployment. Another issue is capital for the European Investment Bank so funding will be available for the type of programmes we want to advance in this country and on which the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, has been working to re-stimulate our domestic economy. There are also issues the European Union can address in any event, such as the completion of international trade agreements outstanding for sometime with countries such as Canada and Japan. These need to be completed to enable the European economy to grow.

A number of steps towards economic recovery must be taken. We will pass the stability treaty this day week; get the euro to stabilise; underpin investor confidence in the country; and have a growth agenda in Europe and a stimulus agenda here. The critical issue is having access to emergency funding, should we ever need it, and the insurance policy that goes with this which in turn underpins investor confidence. This is the route to economic recovery and the route which the Government recommends. I have not heard a credible alternative to this strategy from the Deputy or Sinn Féin.

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