Yesterday in Drogheda the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputies Richard Bruton and Gerald Nash, launched the Action Plan for Jobs: North East/North West 2015-2017 aimed at delivery 10% to 15% employment growth in the region in the coming years. This action plan is part of a new €250 million regional jobs strategy. Since the national Action Plan for Jobs was launched in early 2012 more than 20,000 extra people are at work in the north-east and north-west region. The plan targets employment growth of 10% to 15% over and above today's unemployment levels which, I am glad to say, are reduced to below 9%. The plan covers counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and my own county of Louth which we all know suffered greatly during the Troubles which thankfully have come to an end. This is great news for the Border region. I compliment the Minister and Minister of State on launching this action plan for jobs.

I support the call for an urgent debate on the situation in the Middle East, as mentioned by previous speakers. I am a firm believer in dialogue, peace talks and so on and believe the bombs, bullets and shooting down aircraft will solve nothing. The only way is through peaceful means and dialogue. I support the call for an urgent debate in the House.