Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh míle maith agaibh as an cur i láthair. I have had the pleasure of visiting the Mr. Crumb site in Finea a number of times in the past. It is a fascinating place and it is great to see such an industry located in such a relatively rural area, of which it is the backbone. As for exports, I note the figures released in mid-September indicated 62% of all exports were in the chemical and pharmaceutical sector. This is a massive area, probably mostly derived from the multinationals, and much of it has large capacity. In other words, an increase in exports often does not lead to the addition of many extra jobs. This is a significant issue for the Government to consider, as is the concept of the patents cliff with which that sector is faced. Interestingly, the witnesses mentioned that 35% of exports go to eurozone countries and I have one question in this regard. Some research was conducted in Germany to identify the value of the euro in the context of the euro being of a lower value than a potential Deutsche Mark. It was worked out that it is worth €50 billion to the German economy to be a member of the eurozone because of that differential. Such a differential probably exists for Ireland but in the other direction. Much of the recent increase in exports can be attributed to the decrease in the value of the euro. Has work been done to ascertain the exact cost of the euro to Irish exports in that specific area?

I am amazed that sometimes, especially in rural areas and for small food producers, there is not greater clarity between Leader partnerships and country enterprise boards. I also am dismayed that as of yet, no fully State-wide export programme for small businesses of up to about ten people is in place through the county enterprise boards. I note InterTradeIreland has done good work in providing resources for management in businesses with regard to exports to the North of Ireland. Perhaps the county enterprise boards and Enterprise Ireland have much to learn from that sector. I agree wholeheartedly with regard to redundancy rebate, possibly of sick pay etc., that costs potentially could be loaded upon this very important sector. I am in favour of a progressive rates base in which the size and type of business is taken into consideration in the calculation of such rates. Moreover, such a system would have some understanding of the profitability of a business with regard to rates and they would not be applied blindly in respect of a very profitable and a less profitable business. These are the major issues that affect people.

Another point concerns the extremely low element of exports to the BRIC countries, vis-à-vis our traditional markets. While I acknowledge the IDA is for inward investment, in Australia, for example, I understand one IDA representative works part-time to cover all of Australia. It is easier for us to export to Anglophone countries like Britain and the United States in which we have a diaspora. It is very difficult for Irish companies to get into countries such as India or China. The level of education and training must be improved in order that companies can approach this task with a level of confidence. As for credit, it is shocking that the microfinance credit facility and the credit guarantee scheme are still not in place. Opportunities and jobs are lost for every month that goes by with a lack of such measures being put in place.