The Government’s so-called economic recovery plan unfairly targets low-paid workers while doing nothing to rebuild confidence in the Irish economy, Fine Gael Innovation Spokeswoman and Cork South Central TD told the Dáil debate on the economy.

Cutting borrowing this year is a necessary step to start undoing the economic damage inflicted by a decade of incompetent Government. But confidence also needs to be restored in the Irish economy.

Unfortunately, the Government’s measures are piecemeal, they penalise the low paid and show no long-term proposals for economic recovery. The pensions levy should not have focused on public sector workers on the lowest incomes. It is unfair that a person on just €15,000 gross earnings will pay a levy of 3% (€450).

There is no evidence of this Government providing the leadership required by setting out a long-term plan for recovery. There is no evidence of the Government leading by example and taking the hard decisions to cut the waste, bureaucracy and the extravagance that has plagued Government spending for a decade.

The Government has yet to accept that it needs to take innovative steps to protect existing jobs while also supporting businesses that are willing to create new jobs. The bank guarantee scheme could be used to require those banks who accept taxpayers’ money under the scheme to agree to work with businesses in difficulty and put a loan guarantee scheme in place. Job creation could be stimulated by exempting those businesses who take on extra staff from the extra Employer’s PRSI that would usually be required.

With worsening Exchequer returns and rapidly growing unemployment, it is increasingly obvious that to restore confidence in this country, a root-and-branch reform of the way Government does its business and a long term plan for economic recovery is urgently required.