Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Deputy Boyd Barrett spoke about poverty and inequality. The answer to poverty and inequality is employment and the opportunity to create it. That is why in dealing with the mess we inherited, we are trying to sort out the problems with the public finances and at the same time to grow the economy so that people can experience a restoration of confidence in the indigenous economy and spend, create jobs and have gainful employment. While the road ahead is still challenging, the Government, in its collective decision in dealing with the budget for 2013, will do so on the basis of protecting the most vulnerable and at the same time understanding that the elderly population must be cherished and respected for what they did for this country in times that were far more difficult than now. The Government has that as a priority in its deliberations on the budget preparations that will start later in the year.

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