Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I disagree with Deputy Donnelly. The vision for Ireland has been set out not only this year, but for quite some time. He will appreciate the extraordinary economic mess that this Government inherited.

I have just left CHQ on the docks where a company, Pivotal, is investing €100 million in the creation of jobs, both here in Dublin and in Cork. The company's central point was that the reason for it choosing Ireland to invest an extra €100 million was not based on the question of the 12.5% corporate tax rate but on talent. It was based on talent coming through an educational system that, despite all the challenges, has measured up to the range and the kind of quality that companies look for, be they in the financial services, pharmaceutical or ICT sectors. Their words are far more powerful than those of the politicians because they are the ones who make the decisions to invest in this country. They find it a place to be, given the range of our talent pool.

Although there were recessionary times in education, the moratorium has been lifted and the Minister for Education and Skills will, in the coming weeks, announce the capital programme for the building of primary, secondary and third level education institutes. I do not share the Deputy's view of a depression in the education system.

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