Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I acknowledge the €640 million that has been invested in the capital programme this year. An extra 7,000 people have been employed in the past ten years. There is much achievement as well as an understanding of what is taking place with the downturn in the economy.

Senators referred to the need for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to attend the House to discuss competitiveness, jobs and everything to do with employment. I have given a commitment for this to take place after St. Patrick's Day.

Senators Butler, Ormonde, Buttimer and Hannigan called for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to come to the House to hear our comments on the construction industry and the 190,000 jobs in this industry. I am seriously concerned about the 100,000 people who have lost their jobs in this sector, particularly the apprentices whose situation has been highlighted by Senator Hannigan and other colleagues over the past number of weeks. We must discuss that issue and see how we can assist everyone in that industry. Everyone is entitled to be supported in the downturn irrespective of the industry they work in.