Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)

Today's job losses in Aviva point to the failure of the Government's jobs initiative. Fianna Fáil is proposing something the Government can do to keep jobs in major towns by confirming that the barracks will not close. The 700 men and women of our Defence Forces who are stationed in these barracks do an excellent job for the country at home and abroad. The Leader acknowledged this in his contribution, and none of us has any doubt about that, but words mean nothing and deeds mean everything. The Government can respond to the motion tabled by Fianna Fáil by confirming that it will not close the barracks in Mullingar, Clonmel and Cavan. The Government will not do that.

I have met the Troika. The Government hides behind the excuse that the country has lost its economic sovereignty. That is rubbish. The Government is charged by the people with governing the country.