Taoiseach launches new economic plan, saying 2014 is ‘year of jobs’

The Taoiseach says 2014 will be the year of jobs as the coalition plans to restore employment to Celtic Tiger levels of more than 2.1 million by 2020.
A new post-bailout economic plan has been unveiled that promises no income tax hikes between now and the end of the decade.
The plan says austerity will end in 2015 but “budgetary rigours” must be maintained.
Finance Minister Michael Noonan says the adjustment target for 2015 remains at ¬ 2 billion but there is some material around suggesting it could be less.
Enda Kenny says anything that can be done will be done to help our recovery in the labour market. The government has launched its new medium term economic strategy, “A Strategy for Growth”.
The plan begins next year and will see policies up to 2020.
And Enda Kenny says while tough choices remain this is a plan for growth and jobs.
“it is about staying the course, it’s about suing the opportunities that are now possible to speed up recovery” he said.
“It is a roadmap for the Irish economy, for the years out as far as 2020”.
“It will provide certainty for the Irish people and for investors in our country; it outlines the targets that the government must meet so that we can get Ireland working again” he added.