Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Before I address the issue of the national economic recovery plan I wish to say a word of thanks to the members of An Garda Síochána who are having their patience tested outside today. My thanks also go to the Oireachtas staff and the staff in the convention centre who are having to deal with those people. The disrespect shown to Members and staff going in and out of Leinster House has been something to behold. As I understand it, they are now on their way down here. All those involved in keeping us safe deserve to be commended.

The document on the national recovery plan is important. It will be measured in its delivery. It goes without saying that the language, aims and direction of the national economic recovery plan in terms of jobs, the economy and workers' rights are proof that Sinn Féin has won the argument on the economy and jobs. The statement in the document that the focus has to be on recovering differently is proof that the economy presided over in recent decades by the Green Party, Fine Gael, the Labour Party and Fianna Fáil was not working for ordinary people, workers or the State as a whole. The plan further states that the economy needs to diversify, become more robust and create more productive innovative and resilient jobs. Importantly, it must create secure and valued jobs too. This is what I have been blue in the face from saying since I was first elected. Some of my colleagues have been saying it for 20 years. Every time we have suggested that we need to diversify the economy to make it more robust and create decent jobs in growing sectors we have been jeered at and heckled by those on the Government benches. Sinn Féin has always been clear that the State is a critical player in the economy, in economic development and in economic direction. As we exit the Covid-19 crisis the Government must play its part in building a more robust progressive economy, a high-wage high-productivity high-growth economy that works and delivers for workers and society. That is why some of the proposals in this plan are welcome but there are measures that are not welcome. Some measures are conspicuous by their absence. The proposals for youth employment do not go far enough. The Government must ensure that young people are given all the help they need to re-enter employment where they wish to do so straight away. The Government needs to ensure others have access to training and education to help acquire the skills to enter new careers in secure and resilient jobs in high-wage high-productivity and high-growth sectors. Furthermore, the extensive focus on export and services over goods is a concern. A significant problem for the economy is that we have not grown our indigenous manufacturing base sufficiently. There should be an equal focus on developing and growing our manufacturing sector and exporting goods as on exporting services to grow our economy in real terms.

I will finish as I started. This is an important plan. We always see the expression "check against delivery" stamped on the press releases of the Minister. That is indeed what we will do.

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