Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have a strong record in restoring workers' rights at a very difficult time. This is a very important time - we are at a critical moment in our history. We are at a turning point where we have established that we are a strong economy and can rebuild from the ashes of an extraordinary debacle. People have made huge sacrifices to get us to a point where we are rebuilding employment and getting lives back on track. We have the opportunity now to set out a strong vision for the future. I believe I speak for most people. Our ambition is to see that our sons, daughters, grandsons and granddaughters can find work here at home in quality employment at decent living standards with a strong prospect that they will continue to grow. No one can deny that we have rebuilt strong, sustainable sectors in food, tourism, manufacturing, ICT and financial services. We have rebuilt a solid economy and can look with confidence to a future of building strong living standards and opportunities for our people. We have to pursue steady and prudent policies and that is the approach we are taking. They include the sort of concerns that any ordinary workers would have, that their dignity and standards will be protected in the workplace. We have a track record in that as well as in building strong enterprises. That is the balance we have to maintain if we are to have strong, quality employment for the future. We have to have respect for workers and the dignity and protection they are due, and we have to support enterprise with its capacity to build new opportunities.

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