Mary White (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It has been an enlightening and fascinating experience for which I congratulate the three witnesses. I know they are doing their best in terms of advertising their work but even if the three witnesses got a session on television to present what they are doing, it would be helpful because we need new jobs and it has been said earlier that small businesses are the ones creating the jobs.

I welcome the establishment of the fund and the fact that it carries on the work of First Step in this area of micro-enterprises where the banks have turned down funding requests and extends into core areas of enterprise where Enterprise Ireland does not go. When I spoke to Ms Murray about another matter, I was very interested to learn about how 33% of people setting up businesses are in retailing. It would never have crossed my mind but I am engaged in enterprise so it is all adding up. Would a hairdressing salon be included?