Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

I join in the call for a debate on the economy and the job creation strategy of the Government. We are coming out of a deep recession. We have problems in the public finances and an extraordinary level of unemployment. The situation is that the Government's policy to date has been, as the Taoiseach put it, to write any cheque that was necessary to save our banks. That policy has led us into a situation where there is an issue about the capacity of the State to borrow and to continue and sustain the public finances as they are.

Reality has bitten with the Greek and the more generalised bailouts. It is imperative that the Government should outline its clear budgetary strategy to get our public finances in order. We need the detail. There must be consistency in that policy. As I mentioned yesterday, there was an announcement in the budget on pension reform in regard to which there was a U-turn last Friday. These inconsistencies are what Europe will watch if it is to continue to support the funding of the public finances in this country.

There is an issue, too, about our enterprise and job creation policy. The budget of Enterprise Ireland has been cut by 40% this year. Grants for the maintenance of jobs in enterprises which are export oriented have been cut by 70%. I do not discern a clear economic strategy in the case of the public finances or in job creation. I urge the Leader that we debate this matter in order that the Minister can give clarity on these important issues.