Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. It is interesting to hear about the range of targets he is setting for himself. I am concerned that in recent years we seem to have lost the belief people should create their own jobs. Perhaps we never had it. People seem to wonder about what the Government or somebody else will do to create jobs for them.

The task of the Government is to encourage entrepreneurship. I was delighted to hear Mr. Sean O'Sullivan had been chosen as chairman of the forum on start-ups for entrepreneurs. If we are to succeed in this area, we must ensure it is made more attractive to start, set up, develop, make profitable and expand businesses. We are not doing nearly enough in that regard, although we are doing a lot to create jobs. I continually hear people ask what the Government or somebody else is going to do, rather than thinking about what they can do themselves. The two sectors I consider targets for a fast response in this regard are retail and tourism, on both of which the Minister touched. I see huge opportunities for the use of the Internet in the retail sector. Young people seem to be able to grasp this early. I would love to see an attitude change and for people to realise that not all jobs will be created by somebody else, that sometimes we must create them ourselves. I am sure that with Mr. O'Sullivan as chairman of the forum on start-ups for entrepreneurs we will not lose sight of this. Too many people sit back and ask what more they can do to find work once they have written an application. However, large numbers around the country are setting up small enterprises that they are growing and developing. They may only employ one or two people now, but that is how every big business started.