James Bannon (Fine Gael)

We have lost a large number of jobs to the Far East and eastern Europe, especially in manufacturing. We need a debate as soon as possible to review industrial policy and to try to get our cost base back in order and avoid further job losses. Such a debate is urgent because there is a great deal of public concern about the number of manufacturing jobs which are leaving Ireland for the Far East and eastern Europe. This is due to an active Government policy on stealth taxes. Since the Government took office, approximately 40 such taxes have been introduced. This is killing both industry and jobs and should not be allowed to continue.