Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

-----and to position themselves when their respective old guards cash in their political pensions. The work of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, is being neutralised by these additional costs, but the bulk of the cost will be met by the State through unemployment. The Government has failed to tackle upward-only rents or energy and insurance costs. It changed procurement guidelines to make it more difficult for small businesses to tender for contracts. This is being done in the context of the Government's pursuit of the troika programme despite the damage it is inflicting on the economy. The absence of a comprehensive and co-ordinated strategy across Government has resulted in 33,000 fewer jobs since it came to power. Emigration is at levels not seen since the 1800s. Approximately 87,000 people emigrated last year, on top of 80,000 in the previous year. This is 20,000 more than the number of students sitting the leaving certificate in either year.

If job creation is this Government's obsession, it must stop exporting Irish wealth to cover unsustainable debts. It must also stop exporting our youth, who are our energy and future potential, and get its act together instead of working at cross-purposes.

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