Mary White (Fianna Fail)

Yes. I was quoting Dr. William Harris of Science Foundation Ireland. Ireland is held in awe by countries around the world.

At the parliamentary party meetings we stressed that Fianna Fáil members wanted to keep the CE schemes in place. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment recently said: "Combined participation levels on community employment, jobs initiative and social economy programmes will be maintained at end 2003 levels and no further reductions in numbers are envisaged in 2004." I welcome this major announcement for its common sense. The Minister has obviously been listening to what people on the ground – Fianna Fáil Party members and Members of the House – have been saying. I do not have to spell out the benefits of the scheme.

I attended the pre-budget submission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Buswell's hotel about three weeks ago. Professor John Monaghan of Trinity College, the vice-president of the organisation, cried out for help from politicians. He wanted them to convey to the Government the needs of those who are not part of the Celtic tiger and that it should support these people. I was struck by one point he made, which went to my heart. He said there were 70,000 children living in consistent poverty in Ireland. We must share the wealth of the Celtic tiger with these people and with the Traveller community. The issue of Travellers is close to my heart. The society called for 300 extra houses to be built or refurbished next year. Yesterday I heard about people who are going to South Africa to build houses and it occurred to me that they should stay here and build houses for Travellers instead so that they do not have to live in squalor on the side of the road. These people had craft skills – they are carpenters, painters and so on.