Áine Collins (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister and his officials. I am delighted to hear that food labelling is on the agenda for the forthcoming meeting. I understand that sugar is the main issue in this regard, particularly with regard to the number of ways its presence can be disguised in food through labelling. Sugar is linked to obesity, especially in children. I do not know what is the nature of our contribution in respect of this matter. However, if we can ensure that from a European perspective it is identified as just what it is - namely, sugar - then people will know how much of it is contained in the foods they are eating.

Senator Clune referred to finance and SMEs. There is a need to try to obtain funding in order to encourage entrepreneurs to set up operations. I welcome the recent report from Mr. Sean O'Sullivan on this matter. We discussed this matter during our recent visit to Brussels. There is a need for new and innovative ways of obtaining finance. There appears to be a challenge for all of us in this regard. I would welcome the Minister's views on that matter.

In recent times I have been talking a great deal about commercialising research. I sent a report to the Minister on the matter and I am aware that he wants to discuss it with me. We face a major challenge in establishing how we might commercialise all of our research. A huge opportunity exists in this regard because Ireland is one of the countries that is best suited to facilitating collaborations between big and small industries and bringing innovation to reality as a result. This is an issue to which we must give consideration. As I have stated previously, Ireland is the only country in the OECD that does not facilitate research technology organisations. Under the OECD model, money can be drawn down by organisations that are not institutions of education. A major barrier exists in this regard and it must be addressed.

I propose that we encourage the development of a mentoring system across Europe. If such a system were established, then businesses here trying to expand their operations into Europe could do so through what are called "closed networks". Mentors from all over Europe would be connected together by means of such networks.

We are all in the Single Market and it would be useful if we could talk more and communicate with each other at ground level. The technology exists to support that.

I welcome the discussion on apprenticeships. This is an area we have to develop. While apprenticeships need to be developed in many sectors, they need to be quickly developed in the service industry. We used to be a leader in that sector for many years and then all our young people went to college and we forgot about the importance to our economy of the service industry, which is very closely linked to tourism. I acknowledge that it is not a sector that comes directly under the Minister's remit, but this aspect should be borne in mind when are talking about European issues. The tourism sector is one in which we could quickly develop apprenticeships.