Mary White (Fianna Fail)

In 2000, costs in Ireland and Germany were at the same level. By 2008, Irish costs were 20% higher than those in Germany. There is no mystery as to why SR Technics cannot continue in business. Sentiment about the Government taking equity in the company is nonsense until all partners in this country, including the social partners and the Government, get our costs in line with other European countries. We will continue to lose jobs until we get our costs right.

We are dominated at present by the news about the banks. It has taken over from everything. We must deal with that but also with the issue of how to bring our costs down to keep people in jobs. In 1986, Connie Doody and I started a business to create employment. I have first-hand experience of unemployment in the late 1980s in this country. In many areas there was actually 40% unemployment. I saw the demeanour of people when they came to us looking for jobs. They had no confidence. They were slouched over and had no self esteem. After a few months with a job they began to walk straight. They were self-confident and able to buy new clothes.

We must be optimistic for the future. Fianna Fáil got us out of that mess in the 1980s and I am confident it will get us out of this again.