Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to join in the optimism this afternoon and welcome the significant increase in employment that we have seen to date in 2013, with a total increase of those at work of 58,000. It shows that the Action Plan for Jobs is working and I applaud the Minister, Deputy Bruton, and the Cabinet for keeping the pressure on to deliver on the action items that were contained in that particular plan. I hope that the trend continues into 2014, and that the budget measures taken, such as extending the lower rate of VAT to the hospitality sector and the tax incentive to people to upgrade their homes, will have a significant impact on employment in 2014.

There is grave concern across the country about the possibility of an ESB strike before Christmas. We all know the implications of a strike by ESB workers for all citizens, but in particular for the elderly. It also has implications for employment and the health service, including our hospitals. I call publicly today for the company and the unions to get back into discussions as a matter of urgency. We need a debate with the Minister about the contingency plans being put in place in the event of a strike taking place. We also need a wider debate on whether it is right that any group of workers would be in a position to hold the country to ransom and shut down vital national strategic services. I ask the Leader to organise a debate with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on that particular issue, especially on the plans the Government is putting in place in the event of a strike in a few weeks' time.