Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes. I wish to raise an issue which has not been sufficiently highlighted in this House, namely, that we are back in recession. For the third quarter in succession we are in negative contraction, which is very serious. I acknowledge that various schemes have been established to address the unemployment situation. However, all they will do is tinker at the edges of the problem. Real and sustainable job creation will come from growing our economy. Unless we achieve this, we will be in serious difficulty. There is a dearth of consumer and investor confidence which must be restored. I see no initiative being taken in this regard.

One of the good initiatives of this Seanad has been its public consultation with various interest groups on particular topics. I suggest that the Seanad should concentrate on the creation of growth in our economy, including inviting in specialists in this field. Senator Sean D. Barrett and I have discussed in the past the range of speakers who could participate in such consultation with the Seanad, whose assistance would inform the debate and help us in producing a report on what could be done to generate activity in the economy. I am very pessimistic. We are now five years into this economic collapse. I believe it will continue for the remainder of this decade unless something is done.

Next week, the Seanad will debate the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013. It is imperative that Senators, regardless of their perspective on this issue, inform themselves fully on it. I would urge them to view a short video received from Lindzee Lindholm entitled "The Silent Scream".