Mary White (Fianna Fail)

We must talk up the country and stop talking it down. Senator Quinn has hit the nail on the head. There are politics of envy in Germany and France about Ireland because they have over-expanded social welfare states. In France there is a short working week and they are trying to increase the working week from 35 hours to get the economy back on track. I am very optimistic about the Irish public servants who have worked for years in Brussels getting all the tremendous tax benefits we have here. I am fully confident, and I assure Senator Ross in particular, that they will continue to do so. We need a debate on upskilling and the role of universities in the regions in developing economic aspects there. More people are required to study at fourth level. We need more PhDs in order that the multinationals here can have added value for their products.

Any business will keep going if it is making a profit and if people want to buy its product. The Pfizer case was tragic because there was no demand for its medication. The bottom line is we have to continue to be confident.