Larry Butler (Fianna Fail)

I raise an issue that is important in the context of the current economic situation and unemployment levels. A number of major contracts will reach a conclusion shortly. Many major road contracts will be completed by the end of this month. That means we will see unemployment in this sector of the construction industry. It is important, therefore, that the Minister for Finance considers new programmes. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government could play a major role in this regard. We should now concentrate on putting major infrastructure in place in flood prone areas. That would be a good project to consider.

We should also consider how work can be created on the introduction of the carbon tax. If some €300 million or €400 million is to be raised, we should put a programme together as soon as possible to identify black spots and create work in these areas. This would help to reduce unemployment by bringing the surplus of well-trained workers in the construction industry back to work. We cannot sustain a figure of 400,000 people on the dole in the long term. This is an opportunity the Government could take to reduce unemployment levels. I raised the issue at our parliamentary party meeting yesterday, but it is important to ensure there is work available in the construction sector which plays a major role in most projects undertaken. The state of the sector gives an indication of how the country is doing and of how it will get out of the current difficulties. I urge the Leader to arrange a debate on this issue. Some 150,000 people could join the dole queues, unless we do something about it.