Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The only thing we know for certain is that there will be an adjustment of €2.5 billion in the budget this afternoon. Obviously, there will be some good measures and some tough measures in it but I am sure it is not lost on Senator Daly and others how times have changed in terms of the calm atmosphere in the House today. Less than two and a half years ago our country was in crisis, our international reputation was in tatters and people were wondering if our banking system would survive.

Today, we are well on the road to recovery. Our finances are under control and, as Senator Brennan said, we are creating over 3,000 jobs per month. The budget, which will be announced today, will be geared to strengthen our recovery and to secure our exit from the bailout. We have a long way to go and, as other Senators have said, we need to concentrate more on job creation and accelerating its pace. Will the Leader invite the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, to the House for a further discussion on the jobs plan and to give us a quarterly update, so that we can have an input into it and help the Minister and the Government in their efforts to accelerate the pace of job creation? I share Senator Cullinane's concerns about the young people who are leaving our country. I hope that by the time this Government leaves office we will see people begin to come back to Ireland to take up good and meaningful jobs in a country that will be well on the road to recovery, having survived the disastrous legacy of 14 years of a previous Administration.