Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I welcome the revised Order of Business and it is to be hoped we can resolve any remaining difficulties in advance of future Friday sittings.

No. 2, the Charities Bill 2007, on which it is to be hoped also we will make further progress and perhaps even reach a conclusion, is, sadly, an appropriate Bill for this time of the year. During the week we read the statement from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul on the large number of additional people using the services of that fine organisation. The point was made that many previous contributors to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul are now recipients of its services.

I raise that angle in view of the fact that the unemployment figures published yesterday clearly show the economic crisis facing the country. We will debate economic issues tomorrow but I ask the Leader to allocate time over the next fortnight, if possible, for a full debate on job creation because it is such an important element in the political solution required from Government. We will debate the broader financial issues tomorrow, the state of the public finances, reduction in public expenditure, etc. However, job creation must be given a separate slot in this House to demonstrate our seriousness in tackling this issue.

Solutions to this problem exist. If pay increases result in job losses, increases in PRSI levies are a burden on employers creating extra jobs, the red tape of regulation is stifling small business and the failure of our banking system to respond to the credit needs of small businesses is resulting in job losses, the Government must examine those issues. Those issues must be at the top of our political agenda between now and Christmas. Sadly, almost 300,000 people are out of work and their source of income on Christmas week will be a dole cheque. We must offer these people not just hope but a plan and a solution. While it must be led by Government, all of us in this House must be part of the debate. That is why I hope we will allocate time in the next fortnight to have a lengthy, substantial debate on unemployment and job creation.