Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

It is time this House became relevant to life out there in the trenches. Yesterday, we had a major job creation event in Oranmore which was attended by 240 people. Deputy George Lee opened that event. The view was that jobs, rather than NAMA, cuts or taxation, would grow the economy. The House has not spent enough time discussing job retention and creation. One recruitment agency at yesterday's event said it had 200 jobs available, some of which it could not fill in this country because our graduates do not have the qualifications to fill high-end jobs in the medical device, IT and green sectors. In many cases they need two languages for such jobs. We should have a serious debate on how our education system is planning for the future, preparing for the needs of industry and delivering graduates into jobs. These jobs are being filled by graduates from other countries.

The Leader must take responsibility in this regard. He has not led or given good leadership in the House. He has organised poor schedules, he has been untimely and he has not made Ministers accountable to the House.