Special EU team to examine jobs plan

The special team being put together by the European Commission will be checking on the measures the Government is taking to address unemployment, especially among young people where 30% have no jobs.

The letter announcing the team — and asking the Taoiseach to set up a similar group to co-ordinate with them — went to Ireland and seven other countries with high youth unemployment.

The commission denied the letter from president José Manuel Barroso to Mr Kenny was an insult, ignoring the fact that there were almost no funds left, and telling him to organise a special group headed by someone from the Taois- each’s department to liaise with Brussels.