Vol. 768 Wednesday, No. 2 13 June 2012

DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

DÁIL ÉIREANN

TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised)

Dé Céadaoin, 13 Meitheamh 2012.

Leaders’ Questions ……………………………… 335 Order of Business ……………………………… 345 Modification of Standing Orders: Motion ……………………… 353 European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2012: Motion to Instruct Select Committee … … … 354 Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion ……………… 358 Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009: Motion …………………… 367 Ceisteanna — Questions Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Priority Questions …………………………… 374 Other Questions …………………………… 384 Topical Issue Matters ……………………………… 394 Topical Issue Debate Foreign Conflicts ……………………………… 395 Job Losses ………………………………… 398 National Spatial Strategy …………………………… 401 Waste Disposal ……………………………… 403 Companies (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (resumed)……………………………406 Referral to Select Committee ………………………… 419 Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill 2012: Second Stage (resumed)……………420 Common Fisheries Policy: Statements………………………… 425 Private Members’ Business Independent Inquiries into Planning Irregularities: Motion (resumed)……………438 Questions: Written Answers …………………………… 467 DÁIL ÉIREANN

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Dé Céadaoin, 13 Meitheamh 2012. Wednesday, 13 June 2012.

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Chuaigh an Ceann Comhairle i gceannas ar 10.30 a.m.

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Paidir.

Prayer.

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Leaders’ Questions Deputy Micheál Martin: Since the election, the Government has announced a jobs initiative, a jobs protection budget and an action plan for jobs, all of which were meant to create approxi- mately 100,000 jobs by 2016. However, when one considers the Government’s own statistics in a no-spin zone, the number of people who are unemployed continues to rise. The quarterly national household survey released last week shows the number of Irish people in employment has fallen by approximately 38,900, which is a damning indictment of the Government’s initiat- ives over the past 15 months. Moreover, the unemployment rate has risen from approximately 14.1% to 14.8%, employment has fallen in nine of the 14 economic sectors over the past year and in a highly worrying trend, long-term unemployment has increased by a further 25,000, from 7.8% to 8.9%. Consequently, the position continues to worsen significantly for many people. The Taoiseach had stated he wanted his Ministers to become obsessed with jobs.

Deputy Mattie McGrath: Yes. Jobs for the boys.

Deputy Micheál Martin: Clearly, they have not become obsessed with jobs because unfortu- nately, the initiatives are not making any impact whatsoever. I put it to the Taoiseach the initiatives the Government has taken have contributed to the worsening of the position. At its most basic, the decision to reduce the capital investment programme resulted in a net loss of 8,000 construction jobs in labour-intensive capital projects, which is something that could have been avoided. The increase in VAT only further dampened consumer demand in what already was a weak domestic economy. Moreover, some of the initiatives that led to increased redun- dancy costs for employers constituted a further disincentive to job creation and to employment. Above all, the failure to create any pressure on the banking sector to release funding to the SME sector, as evidenced by all reports and analysis, including that produced recently by Mr. John Trethowan in the credit review committee, gives further evidence regarding initiatives and a policy direction that have made this s