Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I, too, strongly support Senator Cannon in his call for a debate on tourism, an issue on which Senator Mooney expanded further. Jobs initiatives are vitally important. We are aware of the scope for such initiatives in the tourism sector if it was properly harnessed, but, sadly, this year - I do not understand the reason for this - over 6,000 non-EU workers received work permits to work here. I do not understand the criteria used when one considers we have over 450,000 people unemployed. There is something wrong in that respect. We are shooting ourselves in the foot and the matter must be addressed, perhaps in conjunction with a debate on tourism. As Members are aware, many of the workers concerned are working in the hospitality sector in hotels and so on. With no disrespect to any of them, they have received no training and have no skills. They do not represent the Irish hospitality brand. They are lost in the circumstances in which they find themselves. I have heard complaints from many Members from the country who stay in Dublin hotels. The Government must do something about the issue.

I wonder if we are getting carried away on the call for consensus. Everyone wants to be positive. We all want to wear the green jersey and do what is best for the economy. We are not stupid. It is part of our business in this House to go about that work properly, but I am concerned because, while Members opposite have a slight problem which I hope they can surmount, there is a suspicion that the Government is not at one. It must come to the table with clean hands. I, therefore, ask Members opposite to clean up their act. We will then proceed in a positive way.