Vol. 428 No. 6
76 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment whether he intends to take any initiative to confront the appalling jobs crisis; and his views on the necessity, if any, to encourage the spirit of enterprise in order to have any prospect of success.
Confronting unemployment and the creation of employment is the first priority of this Government.
The Programme for a Partnership Government sets out a wide range of measures across the broad spectrum of the economy which will address this problem, and of course many of these are outside the remit of my Department.
In particular, to encourage a spirit of enterprise in this country it is essential that we see a significant fall in real and nominal interest rates and I am encouraged that the macro-economic measures taken by this Government in its short period in office are already having positive results in this regard. It is our intention at both macro-economic and firm level to ensure that this country and its policies and administration are business-friendly.
Of primary importance in regard to enterprise is the role of education and I am in discussions with my colleague the Minister for Education to ensure that this is reflected in the forthcoming White Paper on Education.
Within the remit of my own Department, the importance I attach to the jobs crisis is reflected in the fact that my two main priorities are the implementation of the Culliton report and the establishment of the County Enterprise Partnership Boards.
In relation to the former, as indicated in reply to a separate question, and contrary to certain recent suggestions that the Culliton report has been shelved, I will shortly be publishing the Moriarty Task Force report with details of its implementation by the Government.
In relation to the Enterprise Partnership Boards, their very name indicates the anticipated nature of their activities. Again, as indicated in replies to other questions, following transfer of responsibility for them to my Department, I am currently engaged in a review of their structures and activities, but will clearly be looking to them to act as focal points for the generation of enterprise at local level.
