Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This debate should not be viewed as being a list of achievements or back slapping by the Government, rather it is a means of putting forward the Government's priorities to the House and to the people. We acknowledge that the Government has had to make tough decisions. I pay tribute to the people for their role and assistance in rescuing the country's economic sovereignty. Everything we do in politics must be for the sake of our people, the men and women of Ireland who have paid a price through emigration and unemployment to ensure our country returns to being a place where people can have work and live a full life.

The primary task of this and any Government is job creation and job retention to avoid a culture of dependency on welfare while recognising that the most vulnerable must be looked after. We must help indigenous small and medium enterprises to become the powerhouse of the economy. The scourge of emigration must be tackled. On the eve of the St. Patrick's Day holiday, it is important to use this occasion to encourage our emigrants to return to become entrepreneurs and movers in the national economy.

People must be empowered. The Constitutional Convention was a tremendous success. I pay tribute to Tom Arnold, Art O'Leary, the citizens and the elected parliamentarians who gave complete commitment to considering the issues in pursuit of reform of the Constitution to make it better suited to a modern Ireland. One hundred citizens and parliamentarians worked together effectively to devise constitutional reform.

This House should reform its procedures for doing its business. As a Chairman of a committee, I suggest we should examine how the committee system operates. Some committees are perhaps more intent on getting headlines and looking for a scalp rather than debating and analysing the issues before them. The House should examine how to make itself more relevant to the outside world.

Job creation is vital for my constituency. A total of 1,000 new jobs in Cork city have been created this year and €33 million has being provided by the IDA and Enterprise Ireland since 2012. More than 1,100 jobs have been created in the period 2011 to 2013. These jobs are a fantastic boost for Cork city, cementing our city's strong reputation for attracting foreign direct investment and for being a hub and gateway for Munster and the south west. It is clear that companies believe Ireland and Cork have become much more competitive and that this is a country in which they are confident to do business and in which to make long-term investment. The jobs announced are in diverse areas such as construction, manufacturing, science and technology, engineering, information technology, finance and administration. These jobs are to be welcomed, not least because the trend shows we are open for business and we have a qualified and educated workforce ready to be employed. The potential benefit for local economies is crucial. The Government is delivering for our people while acknowledging that the people have made sacrifices.

I compliment the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, on his handling of the recent flooding events. I was a Member in 2009 when Cork was flooded. At that time there was procrastination, obfuscation and inaction. This Minister of State was actively engaged in providing a template for dealing with flooding in Cork city and county and how flooding can be averted in the future. It is not a simple matter of flicking a switch because it requires a progressive and planned approach. I welcome the funding of €100 million. I hope the three year project in 2015 will end the worries of many about flooding in the city and county of Cork.

The people of Cork are not insular and are instead very outward looking. We need a convention centre in Cork and the Government has given €10 million to this project, along with €6 million from the city council. The convention centre, by its nature, will increase footfall in the region. I call on the Government, the Dublin Airport Authority and all stakeholders to ensure Cork Airport is not a white elephant and becomes a pivotal player in driving economic change and a better lifestyle for the people of the south west. It is a gateway and a hub for job creation. I do not want it to become a white elephant and I have a fear it will become one.

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