A Jobless Recovery is not a Real Recovery

Speaking in the Dáil on Fine Gael’s Private Members’ Motion on the economy this evening (Wednesday), Party Communications Spokesman, Leo Varadkar TD, said, that as seen in the 1980s, a jobless recovery is not a real recovery and that semi-State companies must be re-tooled into engines for economic growth.

Making his speech, Deputy Varadkar said:

“Cathaoirleach, I rise to speak in favour of the Fine Gael Motion tonight. First of all, please allow me to thank Deputy Noonan for his Motion and for allowing us to debate the economy before the Dáil rises for the summer recess.

“Last week, Ireland officially came out of recession recording positive GDP growth in the first quarter of 2010. However, this is merely a statistical recovery and a statistical recovery is no good to the Irish people. For real people, the recession will only be over when unemployment falls and incomes begin to rise again. This could be a long way off. Members of this House who were here during the last recession will recall that the recession of the 1980s ended in 1983. However, the public finances were not stabilised until 1987 and there were no jobs until the 1990s. I am concerned that history is repeating itself and that we are facing into a prolonged period of jobless, anaemic economic growth, a period of stagnation or another lost decade.
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Daft wage system needs reform

Minister Calleary’s reforms are a recipe for fudge

‘Daft’ laws which see hair stylists being paid 6c an hour more than barbers, which fix wage rates for hotel staff in Co. Dublin but not in the city centre, and which limit pay rates for beef butchers but not fishmongers, are being left intact as part of the Government’s much-hyped tinkering with minimum pay and condition orders, Fine Gael Enterprise Spokesman Leo Varadkar TD has warned.

Deputy Varadkar was speaking today in a Dáil debate on the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill.

“Junior Minister Dara Calleary has flunked the challenge to reform the Labour Court’s outdated and cumbersome wage-setting system. This system sets minimum rates, terms, conditions and benefits in the hospitality, grocery, agricultural and security sectors (among others). But it is currently a recipe for chaos. The whole system is outmoded, unrepresentative, cumbersome and restrictive.

“It is costing us jobs in hotels, restaurants and the retail sector. It penalises honest employers and often prevents employees from working when they are willing to do so. You could not make up some of the rulings, which are just plain daft:

• The Hotel Employment Regulation Order applies to Co. Dublin but not to Dublin City, to Co. Cork and Co. Kerry but not in Cork city;

• One set of rules applies to hair salons in Cork, with another for Dublin, Dun Laoghaire and Bray. But there are no rules at all for the rest of the country;

• The Retail Employment Regulation Order applies to any shop that sells food items, but not to those that sell only bread, cakes, buns or beef, unless the beef is pressed. It applies to tobacconists but not off-licences;

• The Catering Order applies to pubs in some parts of the country but not others and only to those that sell food as well alcohol;

• Tailors, dressmakers and shirtmakers have different rates of pay;

• The minimum rate for cutting a man’s hair is 6c an hour less than for cutting a woman’s hair, but a unisex hairdresser gets the male rate for all customers.

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40 min delays expected

Fine Gael TD for Dublin West, Leo Varadkar secured an emergency ‘adjournment’ debate with Martin Mansergh, Minister for the Office of Public Works (OPW), on his decision to close Castleknock Gate to traffic for nine weeks from Monday, September 28th.  The debate was held on Tuesday night on the floor of the Dail.

The gate will be closed to traffic to facilitate flood alleviation works, relaying of a gas main, repairs to the gate and the construction of a permanent roundabout at Mountjoy Cross.  The OPW has predicted delays of 40 minutes in the first few days and 20 minutes throughout the course of the works.  To alleviate traffic, Furze Road will be opened during the course of the works to allow people to drive from Knockmaroon Gate to Chesterfield Avenue (the Main Road) and a one-way system will operate at Ashtown and Cabra Gates.

‘I am very annoyed at the OPW’s decision to close Castleknock Gate for nine weeks.  The Minister made the decision without any consultation with local TDs or councillors.  October and November are busiest months for traffic in the years.  These works should have been carried out during the summer.  I am calling on the Minister to open White’s Gate during peak hours during the course of the works and for the Garda Traffic Corps to take an active role in the managing traffic in the area’, said Deputy Varadkar

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Yesterday I spoke on the Dáil motion on the new government announced yesterday. The text of my contribution is below. The debate in full can be read here.

“As another member of the House has pointed out, I have been only a wet week in politics. However, during my 11 months as a Member of this House, I have seen many changes: the resignation of four party leaders; the election of four new party leaders to replace them; the resignation of a Taoiseach; and today, the election of a new one.

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On Thursday 3rd April I highlighted in the Dail that the Dept. of Education has not honoured it’s commitment to three schools in Dublin 15.

Full Dail transcript below:

3 April 2008

Deputy Leo Varadkar: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this issue. Everyone who follows the news will be familiar with the problems being experienced in rapidly developing parts of Dublin and other cities where the provision of school facilities has fallen behind the rapid increase in population. …[more]

Today and yesterday, the Dáil is debating a Fine Gael motion expressing support in the Mahon Tribunal. I was one of the Fine Gael speakers, and my speech is available below. The full debate will be up on the Oireachtas website in the coming days.

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During the Social Welfare Bill on December 11th and 12th, I was one of a number of Fine Gael speakers on the Bill. Please find my speech below. The debate in full can be accessed from the Dáil record on both of those days – December 11th & 12th.

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As Fine Gael Spokesperon on Enterprise, Trade and Employment I introduced the Fine Gael motion on the Competitiveness of the Economy. Please find my speech below. The debate, including speeches from a number of my Fine Gael colleagues can be found online on December 4th and December 5th.

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