Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

I thank Fine Gael for tabling this motion and the Members who have contributed to the debate. Certainly, the contribution of Senator Ross was very different to that of everyone else. I will come to the issues he raised in a few moments.

I am rather surprised to find that the essence of what is proposed in the Fine Gael motion is entirely wrong. It calls on the Tánaiste to suspend the reduction of 5,000 places on community employment schemes at this time of economic downturn in which there is a lack of job opportunity on the open market.