Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)

On the Order of Business regarding the statements on foreign affairs, why are there not separate time slots for the Leaders? That is not included in the timetable the Leader set out.

It is remarkable that the issue of jobs is not higher up on the Government's agenda. The European Council which the Taoiseach took part in during the week concluded that much more needed to be done, particularly in Ireland. We have yet to see any jobs plan from the Government. At the start of this Government's term we had the jobs initiative, previously called the jobs budget, which was a "tax now, worry about the jobs later" initiative. Unfortunately, it has not worked. I stated during the debate on the Bill which passed those taxes into law that I hoped it would work but that I also hoped I would not be in the House in a few months time saying that it has not worked. It has not worked. Unemployment continues to rise. Youth unemployment is 29%. Does the Government intend to set up some kind of national youth employment fund similar to those in the United Kingdom and other European Union countries?

When will the Government publish its plans on unemployment, which is the most pressing issue? Various plans were announced by the previous Government, including on agriculture. This Government is following on from our plans. I demand a debate on unemployment, which is the most crucial issue. The numbers are very high. We have a rate of 14.2% and a youth unemployment rate of 29%. I heard a Senator talk yesterday about a village in the west in which she reckoned there was an unemployment rate of 80%. If that is the case it is frightening. Every effort on the part of the Oireachtas and the Government should be focused on that issue but that is not happening. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business to call for the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to come into the House for a debate on the issue of unemployment.

I wish to move motion No. 6 on the Order Paper. I do not want to divide the House on an issue such as this one but it is one on which the Government should provide time to debate. The Government parties should consider adopting a united front in regard to that initiative.