Unemployment compared internationally
Brennan argues that Ireland’s unemployment rate is far higher than rates in Europe and the United States. The Taoiseach says the problem’s scale is undisputed and that the Government has budgeted for the forecast increase; the Chair then moves to the next question.
Is the Taoiseach not genuinely underestimating the size of the problem considering that the unemployment rate now throughout all of Europe is approximately 10 per cent — in the United States it is approximately 8 per cent, that is an average figure for all of Europe and the United States — and that in this country it is now nearly 16 per cent? Does the Taoiseach not think that he is underestimating the size of the problem, considering that this country is out of line with virtually all other democratic states in the world?
Comment on this
I do not know what the Deputy means by contending I am underestimating the size of the problem. None of us is in doubt about the size of the problem as it is. The question relates to the likely trend of unemployment in the period ahead. We have made provision for the increase in unemployment which official advice suggests might occur. In pursuing that policy we have adhered rigidly and strictly to the principles that inform the operations of this Government, that at no stage will we alter or modify estimates of expenditure, or estimates of revenue as submitted to us on the best advice given to us, in order to produce a more favourable financial picture than would otherwise be there. That having been done, and having adhered to those principles, or should I say restored those principles, underlying the presentation of our finances, I am entitled to my own personal opinion, which may, of course, be proved wrong.
