Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

As Deputy McDonald is well aware, it is a requirement that copies of the reports be given to the funding countries. Arising from the previous occasion, when a European Commission document was leaked, the Government made it clear that in future, such reports would be given simultaneously to the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and that the reports would remain confidential until they had been completely signed off. I want the Deputy to understand that it is not a case of taking particular documents and giving them to particular international committees. That matter was rectified after the last leak.

I would like to respond to the comments that have been made this morning about the ESRI document. The ESRI is an independent organisation. I could not and would not stand over any contact from the Government to an independent organisation saying that particular documentation must be withdrawn or taken down. Why should I? The manner in which the Government makes decisions to create employment and opportunities for our people and follows them up is the most important element of what we have as a society. Of course I recognise that many people in this country are struggling. Of course I understand the despair that some people feel. I empathise with their frustration about the fact that the scale of their job expectations for themselves and their families is not being delivered as fast as we would like. Of course I recognise that people in negative equity and those whose sons and daughters have gone to America, Australia, Britain or elsewhere are struggling. There is no question about that. There is clear evidence to indicate that people in Greece, Cyprus and Spain are struggling similarly. People in many other countries are also worried. This Government will accept its responsibility for the decisions it makes. The Deputy can take it that the Government's priority is to deal with the central issue, which is the need for Ministers and Ministers of State in their Departments to focus continually on methods of job creation and opportunity for young and old people who want to get involved in their own areas and communities and contribute to this country. I want the Deputy to understand that clearly.

See this speech in context