Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I support the call by Senators Alex White and MacSharry for a debate on job creation. We should consider ideas like England's green investment bank. We must concentrate on unemployment. It will take some time for the numbers of unemployed to reduce, which is the inevitable outcome of any recession caused by a financial meltdown.

I join Senators who discussed the EUROSTAT figures. It is alarming that, although we are in a recession, our prices are among the highest in Europe. There are a number of reasons, including the Tesco monopoly mentioned by Senator Mooney. I was taken by Senator Quinn's comments, in that it is up to the consumers to play their part. Unfortunately, they are not playing their part. Senator O'Toole might be surprised to hear me say it, but I concur that the market does not work in every scenario. Where it does not, we should be prepared to regulate. At this point, we should consider price controls.

My final point is on a related matter. I seek a debate on last week's comments by the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland on improving our competitiveness and the impediment posed by the joint labour agreements to job creation. Many of these agreements predate the introduction of the minimum wage. Not so long ago, we debated the construction industry. A large number of the people who are unemployed come from that industry. General operatives' wage rates in the industry are 40% higher than they are in Germany. Will the Leader arrange a combined debate on these issues? Prices relate to wages and vice versa. I would like an urgent debate as soon as possible.