The purpose of this Bill is to provide for a change in the composition of Joint Labour Committees and the manner in which they formulate

NewERA investments will stimulate the construction sector and the wider economy in the face of the recession, supporting just over 105,000 additional jobs in four years. These will be split almost evenly between jobs directly created from the investment spending (construction, engineering etc.) and spin-off jobs from the extra consumer spending and the positive competitiveness effects of the investment programme.

Our economy is shrinking at an historically unprecedented rate with the public finances in deep deficit and unemployment soaring. The causes of the recession are both global and domestic, but there can be no doubt that our government’s policies have contributed to the speed and depth of the downturn and that they did not prepare for a crisis which was foreseen by so many.

“Visiting the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition in the RDS and meeting students taking part will give people a very positive view of our future. These students, their teachers and parents, have given their time and effort to take part in one of the greatest annual educational events in Ireland.

The public sector has a key role to play in rebuilding Ireland. We believe that the vast majority of public servants do an absolutely vital