Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That concludes the questions. I am conscious that Senator Mary White wanted to ask a question. Mr. Ryan is staying for the second session and he might take a question from the Senator at that stage as she has strong views on the entire area. I thank the witnesses for attending.

I will make some observations. There is a great opportunity with the local enterprise offices, LEOs. We have had discussions with Mr. Ryan and others about people's concerns about those but overall they represent an opportunity, and I believe they will work. However, it is important that we instill confidence in the early days to ensure business people, and potential business people, that the LEOs are there for them and that they will work. I have no doubt they can work, and there is an onus on all of us to make sure we work had to send out that message.

Regarding the figures for last year, almost 4,000 net jobs is a great achievement, and we are looking at a better year in 2013. I understand that represents a great deal of hard work on the part of Enterprise Ireland and its teams in what is a very difficult trading environment. It would have been welcome if the figures had remained the same but an additional 4,000 jobs at the end of the year is an achievement, and well done in that regard. I am aware Enterprise Ireland is involved in mentoring business about lean manufacturing, re-engineering and so on but as an organisation it has taken a lean approach and has made do with fewer staff. I compliment the work of the teams and much of the reorganisation in Enterprise Ireland occurred under Mr. Ryan's watch. That achievement will stand to him. Along with other members I wish him well in the future. He is not gone yet and therefore we can raise other issues with him but on behalf of the committee I thank him for all his work and look forward to dealing with him in other fora. We will continue to work with his colleagues. That concludes this session.

We will begin our second session, which is a discussion with Mr. Terence O'Rourke, chairman designate of Enterprise Ireland. I welcome Mr. O'Rourke who is joined by Mr. Frank Ryan, chief executive officer, Enterprise Ireland, and Mr. John Murphy, Secretary General, Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, who is here for the second week in a row. Mr. Murphy is welcome. I read the note on the Defamation Act at the start of the meeting and therefore I call Mr. O'Rourke to make his presentation to the committee following which we will have questions from members.