Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join Senator Cahill in wishing the First Minister, Mr. Peter Robinson, the very best for his impending retirement. He made a major contribution to the peace process on our island and he certainly has come a long way since the infamous incursion into Clontibret in the 1980s. I very much wish him and his family well in his impending retirement.

I join Senator Mooney in calling for the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to come to the House to discuss the jobs situation, particularly in the Border counties. I note the comments of Senator Michael Mullins that there has been a 12% increase in job creation in the Border counties over the past number of years - 12% of zero is not much of an increase. That debate is long overdue. I would welcome the Minister into the House to discuss positive discrimination towards the Border region, which has been ravaged by unemployment for decades. In welcoming the decision to reduce the corporation tax rate from 2018 in the North of Ireland, I note that could have consequences, particularly for the Border region, as outlined by Senator Mooney. I would very much welcome that debate.

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 13 be taken before No. 1 today.