Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

If Ireland, with its small, open economy, is to have an export market, the United States and European Union economies must be doing well. Dr. Ashoka Mody said it is not just a case of having prudent fiscal managers since the markets will be looking at us to see if we are sound from an investment perspective. Investors want to know that Ireland is capable of repaying the huge debts with which it is burdened. Dr. Mody, in speaking about long-term unemployment, has put us in the same frame as Japan.

The Minister gave us a list of what the Government is doing. Does he share our concerns? Has he carried out a risk assessment on long-term unemployment? It is a critical factor in terms of the health of the economy.

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