Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We were left with €18 billion from the International Monetary Fund, and the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, and the Government have been able to buy out substantial elements of that at a much lower interest rate, with authorisation forthcoming from our European colleagues, with the exception of Sweden, as it recently held an election. We hope it will deal with the matter by 21 November. That will amount to a saving for the taxpayer.

When a decision is made on such issues, it brings confidence, as occurred with the announcement last Friday that the strategic investment bank will soon have €800 million for small and medium enterprises. That was signed with the co-operation of the German finance Minister. We expect to have a return to full employment by 2020 and our deficit eliminated by 2018, with the rate reduced to 2.7% of GDP next year. We hope to have 100,000 jobs created by the end of next year.

On such a point, we can validly stand and argue that the Government has fulfilled its mandate. I accept it has been difficult for people. It is the same all over the country. When a new charge is introduced, it clearly creates difficulty for people.

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