Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The single greatest challenge facing the Government when we took office in March 2011 was to bring the economy back from the brink. Members should cast their minds back to how bad things were. This country was in a bailout situation and the people were left with a legacy of debt that will take decades to eradicate. In January 2011, we were locked out of the international markets and our reputation in Europe was in tatters. In January 2011, unemployment levels were literally spiralling out of control. In the three years prior to 2011, 250,000 jobs had been lost, that is, approximately 7,000 jobs a month. In January 2011, 7,000 people every month were having their lives thrown in turmoil and uncertainty due to unemployment.

Overcoming these incredible challenges not only required hard work and the support and sacrifice of the Irish people. It required the strong leadership that has been delivered by Deputy Enda Kenny since 2011. Since becoming Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny has worked tirelessly to restore this country's sovereignty, to bring back prosperity and to make Ireland once again a great place in which to raise a family.

The economy, which was in such a perilous state just three and a half years ago, is coming back. Sometimes I think our international colleagues are much more willing to recognise this than we are ourselves. According to the European Commission, Ireland will be the fastest growing economy in Europe this year, and Forbesmagazine declared Ireland the best small country in the world in which to do business. We are well on track to exceed our target of creating 100,000 new jobs by 2016, a target that was originally scoffed at by the Opposition. Unemployment is at its lowest level in five years.

In my Department, I am extremely glad to be in a position to be increasing funding for the arts for the first time in six years. The Government is determined to continue with this progress. Unfortunately, the Opposition is focused on negativity, determined to do down the achievements of the people of this country who have shown such resolve to succeed. The Government fully recognises that the people have had an extremely difficult number of years. That is why, from January, every household with somebody in full-time work will be a bit better off.

As for the great populist party, Sinn Féin want to hike up taxes and destroy our jobs recovery. Farmers, the self-employed and those with savings should be wary of what a Sinn Féin Government would mean. They want to tax the economy out of existence. For example, a farmer with land worth €1 million, which is approximately 100 acres, and who might only earn between €15,000 and €20,000 a year from that land, would be liable for a wealth tax under Sinn Féin. Their high tax policies would drive foreign direct investment out of this country and unfairly penalise entrepreneurs, resulting in unemployment.

As has often been said, good leadership is humility with a strong resolve to succeed. The Taoiseach has shown humility in the face of adversity and an absolute unwavering resolve to succeed for the betterment of this country and its people. It is in the best interest of the economy and society that the Government stays the course and continues to deliver a better standard of living for all the people in the State. We will continue with this job. We will be undeterred by the stunts, the bogus policies and the empty rhetoric of those on the Opposition benches.

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