Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

There are a number of people who were half way through apprenticeships in plumbing, carpentry, electrical and so on but, through the decline in construction and the closure of firms, they are now displaced. Will the Leader make arrangements and use his good offices to ensure those people are trained by FÁS — that body is under discussion in another part of Leinster House today — which would simulate the work situation within classrooms and ensure those people get their final certificates? I can supply to the Leader the names of individuals who have left the second or third year of an apprenticeship after being laid off. I want the conditions created, albeit artificial conditions, so they can at least complete their apprenticeships. That would be much more constructive than leaving those people in a debilitating state of unemployment.

Arising from yesterday's debate, while I do not propose to repeat the issues raised in the debate, I appeal to the Leader to take immediate steps with regard to issues such as free car parking, rates subsidisation and so on to support small shops in the Border area that are affected by the exodus to the North to shop. Jobs will be lost. The cost of creating a job in this country is such that it would be much cheaper to maintain existing jobs.