Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak to the motion which presents an opportunity to be positive and examine the positive developments in the economy. There are many reasons we might not want to get out of bed in the morning, but there are many good reasons, too, if we focus on them. There is hope on the horizon and evidence of economic recovery, with increased foreign direct investment, exports and employment. We have also tackled problems such as credit availability for business, creating new financing options in the process. It is easy to sneeze at these developments and make nothing of them. However, the significance of 15,000 jobs created in the past 18 months is stark when compared to the 250,000 jobs lost before the Government took office. Arguably, they were in areas that could never sustain the level of growth they had enjoyed, areas that were inflated. Inevitably, the bubble had to burst. This was akin to a tsunami which swept over the country and, regrettably, this economic catastrophe caused damage everywhere. We must focus bit by bit on recovery.

Apart from foreign direct investment and reorganising of the public finances, there has been a dogged campaign by the Government to improve our relations with our trading countries. We have looked outward and rebuilt trading relations with the United Kingdom, other European countries and the United States, while building new relationships with China. Credit must be given to the Taoiseach for his energy, enthusiasm and positivity in the face of a wall of negativity from the Opposition benches which is also affecting the national psyche. In doing so, he has restored confidence in this proud country which is shouldering a terrible legacy, one which it is not shirking. Rebuilding our trading relations with the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the United States and China is no mean feat considering the position the country found itself in with the IMF.

I have no problem with Ministers travelling abroad for St. Patrick's Day, but there is always a nice howdy-do listing where they are going. What is forgotten is that there are millions around the world of Irish descent and many more not of Irish descent who embrace Irishness and all want to be part of our recovery. They want to be acknowledged as part of our solution and that their talents and achievements are ours.

Sinn Féin's economic policy hinges on sky hooks and pie in the sky stuff. If it had its way with its wealth tax proposal, we would not have a farmer left in the country worth talking about. Sinn Féin's motion calls for €13 billion from the National Pensions Reserve Fund and the European Investment Bank to be used to fund a stimulus package. This is from the very party the financial policy of which was to renege on the promissory notes signed by the Minister for Finance in the previous Government. How could we then go back to the European Investment Bank to ask for cash for a stimulus package? This is just populism and determined by whatever is going down at home.

We need to focus on indigenous resources and industries. We used to have a linen industry and other cottage industries. We also have a religious heritage that does not receive mainstream tourism promotion. We have the best renewable energy resources such as wave and wind power in the whole of Europe.

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