Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I also welcome the rise in employment figures that were announced yesterday. They are reported on the front page of The Irish Times today. This provides a hopeful sign that the numbers at work have risen over the last six months. This marks the first time since the start of the recession that we have seen jobs growth over two consecutive quarters. It is welcome to see such jobs growth being specifically recorded in particular sectors. It is right to acknowledge that good news and I thank Senator Mooney for acknowledging it also. It is an important sign of recovery.

I also welcome the clarity provided by the Government yesterday that the ¤10 million allocated for the mobility allowance and mobilised transport grant scheme would be ring-fenced for a new scheme that would be legally compliant. The Government is committed to devising that new scheme over the next four months which is welcome news.

Earlier this week, I sought a debate on Syria. Last night, the UN humanitarian aid co-ordinator said the whole of northern Syria is now a no-go zone for humanitarian aid. The crisis is deepening for civilians in the area, which is largely opposition-controlled but is subject to horrendous attacks by government forces also. We should have a debate on that in early course to see how best Ireland can seek to intervene, particularly through the EU to try to support a peace process there. That is clearly the only way to resolve the humanitarian crisis, since the UN and other agencies simply cannot get in there.

I welcome the fact that we will have Emer Costello, MEP, with us this morning. I look forward to her speech. Among the issues we will address with her is the outcome of the election in Italy, which will clearly have repercussions for European economies generally and ours in particular.