Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the good news that has been referred to already - the approximately 80,000 additional people working compared to the first quarter of 2012, the 35,000 new units of social housing and the €3.8 billion that will be invested in that over the next six years. It is very challenging and ambitious but worthy of doing. It is a legacy issue, as has been said - something we inherited which must be tackled. We have had practically a 9% increase in visitor numbers and in the number of people employed in tourism, as those opposite will know, and the public service obligation on the Kerry and Donegal flight routes has been retained. All of this is tremendous news. It will build our confidence and get us beyond the fragile state we are in. We know the graphs are going in the right direction. This will do wonders in particular for the construction sector, which will have an effect through the rest of the economy and is to be greatly welcomed. I do not want to be harsh on my colleague opposite, Senator Daly. His remarks regarding-----