Paschal Donohoe (Fine Gael)

I support the calls from my colleague for another debate on unemployment. We had a debate on the issue yesterday but the new figures from the Central Statistics Office have been published and show the trend continuing, with unemployment rising at a time when our national income is falling.

I find myself in some agreement with Senator Leyden. We should have a debate on the different documents and plans published by the political parties. When we do this, we should consider the document the Government published in November, the plan for a smart economy, which was meant to turn around our economy and get it back on the path to growth. What has happened since that plan was published? Another 100,000 people are unemployed and this week, six months after its publication, the Government announces a task force for the implementation of that document, not an update on how the plan is being implemented or on the results of failures it has had. Let us have a debate. I have no doubt the quality and vision of our plans will not be found wanting but I know we cannot say the same about the Government plans.