Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

I join Senators in welcoming the changes to the disability element of the budget. The measures in the budget prove to all of us that we are in difficult times and the country is in a crisis. Yesterday, all the commentators and the Minister noted that without job creation we will not be able to emerge from the crisis. The Leader has brought about some innovative developments in the House in recent months and I ask him to consider another proposal. This Chamber contains a great deal of wisdom and its 60 Members have a wide range of life experiences and talents. We could make a fantastic contribution if we were to have a major debate on ideas for job creation. I ask the Leader to provide three or four hours for such a debate in the new year. Every Member should be given equal time, perhaps five minutes, to make one or two good proposals for job creation.