Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

Will the Leader ask for a debate with the Tánaiste to find out what the Government is doing to ensure we have a competitive workforce? There is no point in just being shocked or disappointed at factory closures. We need investment in skills, education, training and research and development but the opposite is happening through cutbacks in third level education and research and development. It is a wrong move. Job creation is not just about tax measures.

The only State-funded organic agricultural college has today been threatened with closure. That would be a short-sighted decision in a sector which is increasingly important.