As he pledged his support for gay marriage in Ireland, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said more needs to be done to create jobs in the country.
Speaking at the Fine Gael National conference in Castlebar, Co. Mayo at the weekend, Mr Kenny vowed 2016 would be the year when high levels of emigration begin to stall.
In his address on Saturday night Mr Kenny acknowledged that there was still “too many people out of work”.
“Jobs are being created,” he said. “It’s not enough but it’s a start. I believe that, after seven years of emigration, 2016 will be the year when the number of our people coming home, will be greater than the numbers who leave.”
There are still “too many families missing a daughter or son who has had to leave Ireland to find a job,” he added.
Speaking about Ireland’s exit of the bailout, the Taoiseach also acknowledged that many families are still struggling from the effects of the recession.
“I know that, for many people watching tonight, economic statistics mean very little,” he said. “The reality is that many people do not yet see, and do not yet feel the benefits of a recovering economy.”
He said the Government’s central target was to return Ireland to full employment by 2018, adding that high speed broadband would help unlocks jobs nationwide.
“We plan to bring high speed broadband directly to every home and business in Ireland by 2020,” he said. “This will allow new businesses to create new jobs in every corner of Ireland. The construction sector has still not recovered from the boom and bust legacy of the past.”
“Four years ago, we promised to add 100,000 new jobs to the economy by 2016,” he added. “We are on track to beat this target in 2015 and get our unemployment rate down to single figures. By 2020, we want to triple the number of houses built and to create 60,000 construction jobs.”
The Taoiseach also vowed that a new era of political and financial responsibility was in place.
“We are never going back to the culture and practices of speculation, lack of oversight, wanton waste of public money and blatant disregard to our international reputation,” he said.
Speaking of the upcoming referendum on gay marriage, which will take place on May 22, Mr Kenny pledged his support.
“The issue is clear,” he said. “As we approach the centenary of the Rising, a Yes vote would, I believe, send out a powerful signal internationally that Ireland has evolved into a fair, compassionate and tolerant nation.”
He added: “I believe that this is the right thing to do. I, and the Fine Gael Party strongly support a Yes vote.”
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