John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I ask the Leader for a debate on competitiveness, which is necessary in terms of the Government's current emphasis on jobs. The reality is that the only safe job is a competitive job. Until we reach the stage where the majority of the jobs in this country are competitive in the international marketplace, we will have uncertainty. That is why I ask the Leader for a debate to encompass all aspects, including inputs, the price of electricity and labour and the cost of doing business here so we can again address, as we need to do quite quickly, the jobs situation.

I am also cognisant that there was a question in the House during the week in connection with claims made about stem cells and perhaps we could have a debate on the issue. There is a poster which claims the use of adult stem cells has a success rate and number of clinical applications of 73 to nil. That is inaccurate. It is higher than 73.