Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I recall the Seeger sessions in the Point with the Boss. They were quite incredible.

The Deputy made a serious point about the World Economic Forum. I have been there on three occasions. On the first occasion, Ireland was in very poor shape. Last year, it was a case of engaging in discussions on the promissory note and what progress we might make. This year, there was a very different interpretation and perception of our country. I had the opportunity, as Taoiseach of a small country, to tell our story in an extraordinary meeting with people from the United Nations, the World Bank, the OECD etc. - all of the people who carry real influence. I pointed out that we live in a world where 1 billion people are starving, 1 billion people are obese and 4.5 billion are in between. For the first time in human history, dietary problems have surpassed medical problems. The influence, responsibility and capability of world leaders to impact on these things is quite striking but it requires political decisions and a fixing of objectives in terms of what we can actually do.

In this country's case, I pointed out, as has been done on many occasions, the exceptional humanitarian contribution our people have made over very many years. This is one of the few countries which can say that since the United Nations was founded, it has had people on peace-keeping missions or involved in humanitarian efforts in locations around the word. Ireland's story of progress to date is one in which other countries have an interest but it requires clarity of strategy, a clear plan and decisiveness to implement it. If one got that response from the European Union, think of the potential one of the largest markets of 500 million could achieve in the context of what the Deputy mentioned.

At home, that is why we reversed the reduction in the minimum wage, we took 300,000 out of the universal society charge net, we did not increase income tax and we improved the operation for research, innovation and development and why two days ago, I was glad to see a firm coming back to Ireland and announcing 500 jobs. The chief executive of that company referred specifically to the benefit to families where people are able to contribute to the local economy again.

Of course, there are real challenges but they are ones of which the Government is not ignorant. We are very cognisant of what it is we have to continue to do to hold the momentum and to keep our objectives in sight, which are to sort out our public finances and put our people back to work.

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