Strategic Investment Fund legislation
Gerry Adams seeks a firm date for legislation establishing the Strategic Investment Fund, criticising the Government’s jobs record and departmental underspending. Ruairí Quinn says Finance Department work continues and legislation is not expected until next year.
Tá ceist agam faoi reachtaíocht atá geallta. On promised legislation, yesterday on the Order of Business an Teachta Pearse Doherty asked the Taoiseach about the legislation that is required for the strategic investment fund which the Minister will recall was announced just one year ago last week. To date his Government's policy on jobs has been an epic failure. Last year 33,400 jobs were lost and 87,000 people have emigrated.
Comment on this
The figures released yesterday show that there has been an underspend of 17% in the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. It is astonishing yesterday that the Taoiseach could not give a date for bringing forward legislation on this important issue. Is the Minister in a position to give a firm indication as to when the legislation will be brought forward?
Comment on this
All I can say to the Deputy is that work is ongoing within the Department of Finance on this measure but legislation is not expected until next year.