Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith tacú leis an mholadh atá déanta ag an Seanadóir Reilly leasú a dhéanamh ar Riar na hOibre. I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by my colleague, Senator Reilly, to extend the business of the day by an hour to give a specific focus on debating youth unemployment.

I agree with Senator Barrett's comments on the need to examine the issue of rural transport.

The primary issue I raise is about information in a reply to a parliamentary question tabled by my colleague, Deputy Pearse Doherty, in the Dáil which shows that increased revenue resources could bring in up to ¤100 million. With the information he has received from the Revenue Commissioners through the Department of Finance, an investment of ¤6.5 million in 125 additional trained Revenue staff would generate ¤100 million next year from the targeting of black market activity and increased audit activity. I heard an interview on a radio programme this morning with a former Revenue Commissioners auditor who said that for what would seem to be a relatively good investment of ¤6.5 million, 125 extra jobs would be created but the return to the Exchequer would be up to ¤100 million. It would be an interesting issue to examine. We are often criticised for being negative in this House but we are bringing forward a positive proposal which could be examined.

While the Leader is examining that issue and if he has time over the weekend he might examine the other positive proposals in the Sinn Féin jobs proposals programme. As I said, we are often criticised for not bringing forward positive ideas but there are many positive ideas in this document, which runs to 60 pages. We have talked to many stakeholders on the issue. We will be raising the issues when the Minister, Deputy Bruton, comes into the House to discuss job creation but we are talking about an investment programme of ¤13 billion creating 156,000 jobs and retaining 15,000 jobs. The Leader might read that document in advance of any jobs debate to ensure he is aware of it and we will not have to tell him that we have a jobs programme.

It would be interesting to have a specific debate in the run up to the budget on ways Revenue could bring in more revenue and create jobs at the same time.