Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senator Keaveney requested the introduction of an all-Ireland telephone charges package, a reasonable request. Following the Good Friday Agreement, it would be a natural progression. I will pass her request on to the Minister.

Senator Callely called for a debate on family law and the protection of family homes. This is a debate in which many would be interested and I will endeavour to have it included in the future. I will also see what briefings are available on the matter.

Senator Dearey raised the comprehensive outline given by the Minister for Health and Children to the House yesterday of her health portfolio. It was an outstanding and breathtaking contribution by her for half an hour without speaking notes. As the time allocated for the statements turned out not to be sufficient due to interest, she did not hesitate to offer to return to the House in the next two weeks. She has agreed a sitting day date with my office. Any Member who wants a comprehensive update on the health portfolio and the progress made under the Minister's stewardship should check her contribution in yesterday's Official Report.

Senator Ellis raised the matter of the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Ó Cuív, acceding to the request for miners who have suffered serious health problems due to their employment to be treated under the occupational injuries fund. They have been seeking fair play in this regard for some time. I welcome this development, expecting nothing less from the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, who is terrific in looking after small groups and communities and those on the margins.

Senator Ellis also called for a debate on the success of the development of transport infrastructure. There has been a huge transformation of our countryside with magnificent new roads open from Dublin to Cork, Dublin to Limerick and Dublin to Galway. Senator Ellis is correct that the construction of a dual carriageway from Mullingar to Roosky on the N4 should be one of the next projects to develop the Dublin to Sligo and Donegal road.

Senator Mooney called for a debate on Northern Ireland, regarding which I have already given a commitment. The serious concerns he raised need to be debated in the House.

Senator Healy Eames and other Members are concerned about the Government's policy on job creation. Over the past two years, the Government introduced stimulus measures to protect jobs in the short term. It introduced the employment subsidy scheme which supported 80,000 jobs and the enterprise stabilisation fund which directly supported 7,500 jobs last year. This year, it has invested over €1 billion, a substantial investment, to assist those who have lost their jobs, bringing the numbers in training, education and work experience for unemployed persons to 160,000.

Last year's budget saw the introduction of a short-term jobs stimulus package which included a national energy efficiency retrofit programme for houses and tax incentives for home energy efficiency which created 5,000 jobs. The car scrappage scheme and tax incentives for electric and hybrid vehicles will support 2,000 jobs. The reduction in excise duties on alcohol and the lowering of the VAT rate will assist hotels and the catering sector, which already employs over 230,000 people. The new employer PRSI exemption for new employees has been introduced to reduce the cost of new job creation.

The Tánaiste, Deputy Coughlan, when Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment put in place a new strategy for IDA Ireland. This targeted the creation of a further 62,000 new jobs in the next five years which could lead to the creation of an extra 43,000 jobs elsewhere in the economy. Any reasonable, fair-minded observer would have to say a great amount is being done in assisting those who are unemployed. Enterprise Ireland continues to support our indigenous companies, with the objective of creating a further 40,000 new jobs in the next five years, leading to the creation of another 28,000 jobs elsewhere in the economy.