Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The 2013 action plan for jobs will see us redouble our efforts to ensure that every Minister, Department and agency will make the creation of the necessary conditions for employment the number one priority.

Access to finance is a critical issue for small businesses. Last week we launched the credit guarantee scheme which will facilitate lending to viable firms on the margins of commercial lending decisions in accessing credit. We will continue to focus our efforts on ensuring that viable businesses have the tools available for them to allow their day-to-day operations to operate as smoothly and effectively as possible. The Government will continue to engage with the banks so we move to a situation where people can see a demonstration of an effective and working banking system operating in the nation's interest. The central focus of this Government is to get Ireland working again. It is the unifying goal of this coalition. In doing so, we are making sure we do not repeat the mistakes made in the past, and that difficult decisions are faced up to and taken now which will benefit generations to come. Eighteen months ago, we had the privilege of assuming office but with a public system in chaos, cast adrift and rudderless by the previous Administration. Through hard work, determination and belief, we have set the country on a new path to recovery. We have a long way to go and there are challenging times ahead. We have taken only the first steps to stabilise the economy. The next steps will be to strive on for growth and jobs. These will be the priority pillars for our Presidency in the first half of 2013. The transition from the old, failed economy based on property, banking and debt, to a new, sustainable economy based on enterprise, exports and innovation, will not be easy. However, I have every confidence that the Ireland and the people emerging from this period of crisis will be stronger than ever.

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