Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join others in complimenting the Minister on bringing this legislation successfully through the House. Throughout his career he has demonstrated a great ability to bring about reform, and certainly this is a significant reform which will strengthen and enhance policy-making within the Department. I encourage the Minister to redouble efforts to keep the jobs programme at the top of the Government agenda. We are seeing many successes. We would all like to see job opportunities spread out to the regions and to areas such as east Galway that have suffered significantly through unemployment during the past decade. I wish the Minister continued success and welcome the passing of this legislation.