Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

I am sure he is equally committed to the objection to it. The significant failure of budgetary and economic strategy to date in this country is the absolute failure to make any real attempt to create jobs. We are missing the big picture and with the finite nature of fossil fuels and the cost of oil, there must be an emphasis on job creation through green energy. There can be job creation through wind, tidal and hydro power. There are certain costs for these initiatives but the cost of oil is such that any money invested in green energy will get an economic return and create jobs.

We must have a full debate over a couple of days on the economy and specifically on job creation. It is a disgrace that so many people are without work and losing jobs by the day but we do not have incorporated into policy job creation strategies and initiatives. I welcome the opportunity to have the debate, in which I will put forward my party's plan to create 100,000 jobs over three years through the establishment of an economic recovery agency. We will never achieve economic recovery without jobs to generate wealth in the country.