Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I support the appreciation by my colleagues of everyone but, after the savage budget, the Members do not realise how the public feel about politicians and the Government. People are very disillusioned with the latest budget. The elephant in the room is the unemployment rate in the country, which is 14.6% and rising all the time. Some 32% of young men between 20 and 24 years of age are unemployed and 110 people are leaving this country every day. There is no doubt that we will be under the radar in the coming months. I would like if the Leader could make the issue of employment the number one priority in this House. As Senator Mooney said, we should be active in getting media interest in this House. People are saying that we are disconnected from the people, that we are too long in the Oireachtas and that we do not have a clue what it is like to be outside. A colleague of mine works in Aviva and is responsible for 27 people. She told me about a 50-year-old man about to be let go who have fears about whether they will get another job. On a weekly basis we should hit the radar and make it a priority so that we get the Government to take measures to create employment.

There was no big vision in the budget and it was very hurtful to those who are disadvantaged. I do not know why the Minister for Finance has an article of faith that we will not increase income tax. I know thousands of people in this country who are true republicans and are willing to pay more income tax so that people at the lower level are not deprived, hungry or distressed because of their financial situation. Unemployment is a source of major mental stress on families. I ask that we all work together and that the Leader puts pressure on his colleagues in government so that we have an agenda for creating employment. The Leader should keep saying the figures up there. The unemployment rate is 14.6% and 110 people are leaving the country every day. We must let the public know that we are not immune to their pain. I formally second Senator Daly's amendment.