Ms Barbara Nolan:

I thank the members of the committee for their comments. I will try to take the points in order, although I do not think an answer was necessary in some cases as the points were more of a comment. With regard to SMEs and innovation, quite a large chunk of the current framework programme 7 is directed at SMEs. Horizon 2020 will also have a lot of ring-fencing of funding for SMEs. It is very important, for example, that they avail of the opportunity of this conference that is coming up in December to inform themselves about how they can access EU funding under the new research and innovation programme.

As there were several comments on SMEs, I will link them with the Chairman's comment. It is true that there is a myriad of different opportunities for funding, whether it be from the European Investment Bank under the framework programme or under other programmes - for example, the entrepreneurship programme also has funding available for SMEs. We do our best to inform people about it but we also rely on the chambers of commerce to do a lot of the publicity because they are made aware of all of these opportunities. They are at the local level and we rely on them to relay a lot of the information. I accept that the information is not always getting there but there is also the point that, in some cases, it is not that easy to access and there is a lot of paperwork, which may switch people off in terms of accessing money.

With regard to research and innovation, an SME would normally need to have contacts in other member states and be able to mount something that is of an international standard, which is not that easy, as I fully accept. We will continue to try to reach out to SMEs. We financed a conference last year in Croke Park with the Department to try to reach out to SMEs and give them an idea of the different opportunities available. We will continue to do that. The problem is that many owners of SMEs do not go to conferences precisely because they are running their businesses and they do not have time to do that sort of thing. It is difficult in that they are not a homogenous audience and are difficult to reach. We continue to work with the local operators here to try to get our message out.

There were a number of comments on the CSRs. Deputy Dara Murphy said they would not change the budgetary process, and he was correct. However, there will be comment on matters such as budgetary surpluses - for example, the German surplus.

I saw the comments that the Vice President of the Commission, Olli Rehn, made about the matter in the press today. The Commission will comment on deficits and surplus but it is not going to be a selective commentary. I can assure members that where we see a problem like that, comments will be made.

There have been mixed reactions to the CSRs among different member states. In the United Kingdom the reaction has been mainly hostile, both from the media and from its government, because they do not like receiving instructions from Brussels. CSR results have been well received in other countries. Many stakeholders in individual member states have endorsed the CSRs because they agree with them. It depends on the findings and nature of the results. In many cases, informed commentators, economists, etc., were quite satisfied that the CSRs were justified. I cannot give one answer because the reactions of individual member states have varied. It depends on whether there is a perception that a problem exists and whether the CSR finding is valid.

I am pleased to hear that the committee, like us, thinks the TTIP is very important. Talks have continued despite the issue of leaking of data, etc., and both sides are determined to continue. A trade agreement is an important step that would greatly boost the two economies. My information is that talks will continue along the lines of the programme that was mapped out from the outset.

Deputy Eric Byrne asked about what we hoped to achieve through a digital economy. We started from the premise that Europe has fallen behind its main competitors and is not the world leader, but there is a need to invest more and update the legislation in order to move things forward and regain competitiveness in the sector. Different markets may be sliced up but we want a single market. I have outlined the big picture. As I said, it is not going to be easy. There is a very small window of opportunity to get the business done, given that this is a very recent proposal, but that is our objective.