Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I once again welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Deputy Michael Ahern, to the House and thank him for piloting the Bill through it today. I also thank his staff, who have assisted him in that important work.

I would like to refer back to the Irish Financial Services Centre in Dublin. At the time, I was a member of the Fianna Fáil Front Bench, and the Leader of the Opposition was Charles Haughey. He brought a policy document to us, behind which was Dermot Desmond, the financier. The two put forward that document, which was adopted unanimously by the Front Bench. Quite frankly, most members would not have been aware of the implications. It looked like a futuristic dream, but now it is a reality. There are now 17,000 people employed at the centre. How many politicians would have the tribute paid to them that they had in some way been responsible for a policy that created so many jobs? It is a good example for the Opposition parties to follow. Rather than trying to score points against the Government, the Opposition parties should propose policies which would help to create jobs if they ever get back into Government. They should make known the ideas they will use if they are in Government in the future, with Fianna Fáil or another party. It is time to consider these issues.