Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

Those jobs are the only ones that the document proposes to create. When I examined the timeframe that would apply to Fine Gael's expenditure, I was surprised to note that it would all be done by 2010. For example, the chief executive officers would be appointed by June of this year. We need solutions if we are to get the people of this country back to work. We need a long-term vision. While I welcome some of the proposals in Fine Gael's document, I do not agree with the manner in which Fine Gael proposes to finance them, which involves the sale of this country's jewels, such as Bord Gáis Éireann. People in County Donegal and many other rural areas cannot access the gas network, just as they could not access broadband services ten years ago. We still do not have broadband today as we cannot force Eircom to provide broadband. Under the Fine Gael proposals, we will be unable to force Bord Gáis Éireann to extend the gas network. It would be misguided to sell this country's strategically important assets, particularly at a time when they are making a profit for this State. I will not support the Fianna Fáil amendment, which is an exercise in back-slapping. If the Fine Gael document has done anything, it has pointed out the significant flaws in Government policy. The Government has not invested in what is needed. While there is much to be welcomed in the Fine Gael document, I oppose its central politics. It would not create jobs this year, with the exception of the directors' positions at the new era company. It would be wrong to allow a quango to run State assets worth €18 billion as part of a privatisation agenda.