Since this Government took office in June 1997, we have recorded significant achievements due to our policies and performance. Irish living standards have now reached the EU average. Government debt has also been dramatically reduced. Indeed Ireland now has the second lowest debt ratio in the European Union, after Luxembourg.
Unemployment is currently at the lowest level of any time in our history.
Over 200,000 net additional jobs have been created in this Government s period in office and, where employment was only a little over 1 million in 1986, it stood at over 1.7 million last year. There are a number of factors which have underpinned Ireland s economic success. These factors have created a positive business environment which has encouraged foreign direct investment, particularly in high technology industries such as electronics and pharmaceuticals, and also helped domestic Irish companies. I have no doubt that many of you here today will in your present and future jobs continue to further develop Irish-based business. The Government is very conscious of the need for a rapidly growing economy such as ours to invest in the future.