Mary White (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate Mr. Frank Ryan on increasing export sales to €16.2 billion. That represents money for people in our communities who are buying goods locally and enhancing quality of life and the economy. It is an added advantage that many of our indigenous companies source locally. The increase in export sales equates to a net increase of 3,000 jobs. While I was researching my policy paper, which Fianna Fáil will launch tomorrow, I was struck by the major changes that have occurred since Connie Doody and I started out in the late 1980s. There is now a network of 28 offices and nearly 60 virtual offices that Enterprise Ireland operates overseas to provide access to markets and introductions to buyers.

I have come to the conclusion that we have to get indigenous companies to internationalise as quickly as possible. In our time it was done on a step-by-step basis. KPMG was good to us in terms of looking after our accounts for a very modest charge. Modern technology and cheap air fares have made a significant difference. When we started out in the 1980s it was very expensive to fly anywhere. Skype and other technologies offer significant potential for conference calls and meetings. There is no excuse for companies but they have to be pushed. I was pleased to learn about the launch of the new potential exporters division. This is a critical initiative. Irish companies account for just 10% of the country's exports. We must increase that proportion. The access that Enterprise Ireland is opening to overseas connections will create tremendous opportunities for companies to internationalise quicker.

I wish Mr. O'Rourke the best of luck. I know he will be excellent in his new role. I also convey my best wishes to Mr. Hugh Cooney and hope everything progresses well for him.

The county and city enterprise boards are doing excellent work on the ground but they need defined budgets. The Minister has indicated that he will introduce legislation in autumn but we cannot assign bureaucrats to do these jobs because they need entrepreneurial people like Mr. Ryan and the Enterprise Ireland team. Enterprise Ireland has to take personal responsibility in ensuring the right people work in the local enterprise offices. They will die otherwise. In my experience they are doing very well in terms of helping small companies.

I commend Enterprise Ireland on establishing a women's entrepreneur unit led by Ms Jean O'Sullivan.

They have done amazing work. When the spotlight went on the women with the feasibility grants and start-up funds, they responded. In Ireland two and a half times more men start businesses than women. We are down at the lower end of the EU scale for this, just ahead of Poland, France - which would not surprise one - and the Czech Republic. We are failing to tap into half the potential of the country, and we are not being competitive internationally, if we are not using women's talents and energies. That is what the Fianna Fáil policy paper, which is being launched tomorrow, is about.

I wish Mr. Ryan the best of luck. I have known him for a long time, probably 40 years. Ireland has been privileged to have had him leading the organisation. He is the highest-minded person one could meet. I formally thank him. He is a true patriot and brought the Enterprise Ireland team with him. Please God the person who gets the job in the future will be his equal.