Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Last week was an extraordinary one in Irish politics. I can only compare it with the time when Michael Collins came back with the treaty. The impact of last week's decision on the agreement will be lasting on the people. It will have an impact that will greatly enhance their lives and our opportunities to create jobs and take responsibility back for the running of the country into our own hands. Last week's decision by the House to put Anglo Irish Bank beyond memory was courageous, tough and good for the people. I am proud to be part of a Government that took this action and stood up to the forces that had said it should not be done.

The decision of the European Central Bank to agree to the proposals from the Government will have a lasting effect on the economy. Young people who are still at school and those who are unemployed will see the effects. Above all, it will have a lasting effect on the many people forced to emigrate in recent months and years to Australia, Canada, America and all parts of Europe. The potential for the economy is great.

As a Fine Gael Deputy, I am proud to say the Government made the right decision last week in the interests of all the people. The decision will have a lasting impact in the area of job creation, whether in the agriculture sector or attracting foreign direct investment. Two years ago Ireland would have been regarded as a country in receivership and which was rudderless, not knowing where it was going. Now, under a new Government, we have taken responsibility for our own debt and decided on the road we should take. We are a people prepared to govern ourselves and run a country which pays social welfare, ensures public services are provided and, above all, has an economy in which business can be done.

I invite foreign direct investment interests to consider locations in Ireland such as Cashel in my constituency where an advance factory building has been vacant for the past two years. Because of what happened last week in the Dáil and the agreement with the ECB, Cashel will be an excellent place in which to invest and create employment for young people. Ireland is the place in which to invest for those looking at Europe. We are managing the economy. This is regarded as a country able to look after its business. We are not afraid to argue against other viewpoints. The Government is running the country and making it an efficient place in which to do business. The high level of unemployment, at 416,000, however, presents a challenge. In order to make the country a better place for the people concerned, we need to have an economy that is acceptable to foreign companies in terms of foreign direct investment. Job creation and exports are the key to providing a good living for citizens. Protecting old age pensions and social welfare payments is dependent on having a sound, stable economy. Last week's agreement with the European Central Bank means the week will go down in history as the one in which we made a decision to stand by the people. It is high time for Members on the other side of the House to stop waffling on about issues more to do with getting themselves re-elected than the country. I suggest that for just one week they stop saying the Government is wrong and look at what has been achieved by the Ministers, Deputy Michael Noonan and Deputy Brendan Howlin, the Taoiseach, the other Ministers in the Cabinet and the public servants who fought and worked hard to put a new deal in place.

There is no difference between running a country and running a business. If one's overdraft has gone mad, if one's loans are unmanageable, one is put under stress and as a result, one cannot deal with issues. The country is no different. We were under stress for the past couple of years since we came into government, but thankfully, when decisions are made, these problems are eased. The people will rise to the challenges and put them behind them. Because of the leadership being shown by the Government, it will make this a better place and us a better people. When we look back at the events of early February 2013, it will be marked as one of the greatest periods. Every one of the 166 Deputies, whether in opposition shouting against us or in government shouting with us, will be proud of the decision made by the Government last week. It was a great day's work for the betterment of the people.

It will give rise to both security and opportunity as we seek to develop our society and face the many huge challenges ahead.

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