Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I also wanted to raise the issue of the health service plan. I thank the Tánaiste for his answer. There is a need for a full debate in the Chamber on the plan. It is important because of the various issues that arise and the austerity cuts contained in it.

My question for now is about a commitment in the programme for Government to develop sectoral job strategies, including a plan to create 20,000 additional manufacturing jobs. I am sure the Tánaiste knows that in the past four weeks 870 job losses have been announced in the pharmaceutical sector. This is a heavy blow for workers and their families and a further 150 job losses have been announced today in Newbridge. If my memory serves me correctly, the programme for Government states job retention is a crucial part of a job creation strategy. In the wake of these disappointing job losses, does the Government intend to review the jobs strategy committed to in the programme for Government?

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