Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

We all have cars of our own, in many cases powerful cars. We have moderated our feet on the pedals in order to conform to the speed limits. There is no need under any circumstances for a Minister's car to speed. I respect the Leader for her positive response yesterday in agreeing that Ministers should lead by example. If the Taoiseach wants to make a positive statement, he should ignore the advice given and instruct his Ministers to drive within the normal speed limits that apply to everyone else.

There is extreme disappointment at the abolition of the summer jobs scheme. Many of our students go to America during the summer months but this summer there will be a drastic shortage of jobs there because of the economic downturn. It was the wrong time to abolish the scheme. It was means tested and had 4,500 participants last year. Of those, 1,300 came from homes dependent on social welfare. Many of those homes would find it extremely difficult, if a son or daughter wanted to go to the United States to get a summer job, even to find the fare. It is a retrograde step, a surreptitious cut from the Government.