Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It sounds silly to make the connection but the question of whether we qualify and go to Brazil means a huge deal. It will lift the spirit of the country and it will lift the spirit of the country if the Taoiseach delivers. We want to go to Brazil and we would like to see our economy like Brazil's. Its economy was a basket case a number of years ago but now it is a driver for change in South America. There are many similarities even though one involves a football game and is not serious.

The Taoiseach referred to the topics he will raise, one of which should be the social cost of policies. Many Governments do not understand what people are going through. The people of Greece, Spain, where they have 53% youth unemployment, and Ireland know what is going on. Deputy Adams referred to the number of people unemployed, which is approaching 500,000. This is hurting people and none of us got involved in politics in order to hurt people. We want to bring about the change and we have an opportunity to do so but we must look at our strategy to bring it about.

Youth unemployment is at least 30% and 200,000 people have left our shores over the past two or three years. Emigration is not the answer and we all know its effect. We grew up seeing our friends and family members having to leave and we thought it was all behind us, but emigration has returned. We have an opportunity to bring about change, which is what people want to see.

The Taoiseach referred to the conflict in Syria. Today, I received messages about human rights lawyers in Bahrain and people being arrested. These people were not involved in violent conflict or advocating violence; they want to see peaceful resolution and change in their country. It is important we are on the side of change there. We should be on the side of those in Europe who want to build a free Europe, a federation of people who want freedom and independence for countries. We have the opportunity and I wish the Taoiseach well. We have the opportunity to bring home silverware and to build confidence in our people. People want to see it happen and I have no doubt that if the Taoiseach comes back with a separation of sovereign and banking debt, he will have the eternal gratitude of the House.

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