Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I second Senator Ó Domhnaill's amendment to the Order of Business. I join with Senator MacSharry in wishing the Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy Burton, good luck today in their negotiations on the youth guarantee scheme.

The scheme which was agreed by the Commission and is awaiting approval by the European Parliament proposes a ring-fenced allocation of €9 billion in the next seven years to combat youth unemployment. Areas of this country with a youth unemployment level of more than 25% will be eligible for funding under the scheme, but I hope it will cater also for regions with levels of 15% or 20%. Experts on this issue throughout Europe maintain that a minimum of €25 billion is required up to 2020 to tackle the problem of youth unemployment. I wish the Taoiseach and the Minister well in their negotiations to secure as much as possible for Ireland of the €9 billion allocated.

I join the Cathaoirleach and other speakers in welcoming my three Ulster colleagues to the Visitors Gallery. I particularly welcome former Deputy Paddy Harte from County Donegal who reached out to our nearest neighbours when it was neither popular nor safe to do so. I wish him and his wife well.