John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I would like to make a few other points. I will give him the last half minute. The Government must create an environment where jobs can be fostered. This motion is important in that context. Senator Hanafin mentioned that the four year plan states it is the Government's priority to stimulate jobs, but there is little else in that regard in the plan. Surely job stimulation should be at the core of the four year plan, but it is hardly mentioned and there is little concrete detail on how it will be done. I am not happy about that.

I had wished to mention several other issues, but will stop on two final points. I agree completely with Senator Ryan on the importance of the two sectors he mentioned for stimulating employment, agriculture and tourism. This would not require significant investment from the State as the infrastructure for both is in place. These two areas still have tremendous potential for the creation of significant employment for the future. I do not agree with Senator Hanafin on the travel tax which was imposed, partly at least, because of the difficulty the Government had with a particular private air transport operator. The Government has stubbornly stuck to it, despite that it has done increasing harm to our tourism sector over the past 18 months.