Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I warmly welcome Ms Costello to the House. We have soldiered together on many campaigns in parts of Dublin, most recently in Sandymount on the European treaty referendum where we did a very good canvass. I pay a personal tribute to her dedication, hard work, commitment to political change, commitment to the Labour Party and her work to represent the people of Dublin at European Union level. She has done tremendous work. I am particularly pleased that she should come before the House on the day the European youth guarantee agreement has been made. We have all just heard the good news on that issue. It is wonderful news that at last there will be a commitment at European Union level specifically to tackle the devastating figures on youth unemployment, about which Ms Costello has spoken so eloquently. I have one question. From my reading of the European youth guarantee I note the impressive figures on how it works in Finland, where it has been well established. How does it work in practice and what are the practical changes for young people on the dole and who see no prospect of employment and who are considering emigration? How will it work in practice to impact on those young people?