Minister for the Environment, Deputy Phil Hogan is optimistic about the year ahead as he reassures people that the tough times will lead to recovery.
“My main wish is that as we live in very difficult times, people will have the ability to see beyond the immediate situation and realise that there is a great future for this county,” he said.
“I am confident that in 2012 we will continue the process of regaining our country's independence which was lost in 2010. I am absolutely certain that the building blocks which we are putting in place, although very difficult for people, will result in regaining that independence.
“Another major building block will be our annual government jobs strategy which will be unveiled in January. This will be a highly ambitious action plan aimed at delivering radical structural reform, across all sectors of the economy, to achieve the significant increase in employment we so badly need.
“Also in January, the Government's new 'Pathway to Work' Strategy will be unveiled which will overhaul the State's approach to supporting the unemployed and help to guide people back into work.”
