Mary White (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes. We used to question ourselves as to whether we were mad. It requires a person to work 24/7. Ms Connie Doody and I worked 24/7 for 16 years, including Christmas Day and New Year's Day. We worked on Saturdays and Sundays because that was what the business required. People used to ask me how I could get the product on the shelves in the supermarkets. They would complain about the supermarket. If they are complaining they might as well stay at home as they are not up to coping with the heat in the kitchen. When one has a business it is not just a case of doing a job from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; it requires an extraordinary commitment, particularly if one is starting from nothing.

We must remember that the Kerry Group started off as a very small company. In the case of Baileys, Mr. David Dand carried the bottles of Baileys around Europe trying to sell the liqueur. There are major opportunities.

My greatest disappointment is the Government's handling of the county enterprise boards. On Friday last, the Chairman, Deputy Damien English, and I attended a very successful cross-Border meeting in Monaghan. It was fantastic to see the co-operation between the enterprise boards in the South and the boards across the Border. The Government has let this drift. Ideally the county enterprise boards should come under Enterprise Ireland and not be devolved to the local authorities. I understand that Enterprise Ireland will adopt a regional mentality that it will help the small companies in the regions. The county enterprise boards have a significant contribution to make to help people to start up a business. There is no question about that. That is something that must be delivered. It is not happening.

I am sure Senator Clune has heard me complaining relentlessly about the lack of available credit to companies. The Chairman has agreed that we invite Enterprise Ireland to respond to the request to get more companies exporting. The bottom line is that every job created in production creates 2.5 jobs downstream. A service job only creates 1.7 extra jobs. We have significant opportunities.

I compliment Mr. Coyle on what he has achieved. He is fantastic. We will do everything we can to help the Irish Exporters Association.