Áine Collins (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Secretary General and his colleagues. How does Europe, and the Department, define an SME? Is there a standard definition that would clarify the matter for us all?

We appreciate that regulation is necessary, but how is it valued in the rest of Europe? As regards the food sector specifically, we constantly hear that if one wants to sell in an open market in Ireland one must adhere to this or that regulation. When we go on holidays to France, however, every street market is selling food, yet we are all part of Europe. How are regulations measured, therefore? What happens if it is not working in other countries, or is it just that Ireland is good at enforcing it and making it harder for people to set up business?

It is great that we are high up on the research and development scale, which is really important. How do we assess research and development, how much of it is commercialised and how can we improve it? I have no problem with the amount of money we spend on R&D. The more tax credits we give to companies the better, as far as I am concerned.

I cannot help but comment on a seven-page report that does not include entrepreneurship. If Ireland, and Europe generally, are serious about solving the employment crisis, yet we do not even address entrepreneurship, where do we expect the jobs to come from?