John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In regard to the 161,000 people directly employed in these companies, we need to clarify that it is not just about the cost of a job, but also the added value that comes from that. There is a significant spin-off to other companies. It is important we get a clear message on the cost of a job and that we balance that with the economic benefit in other spin-off companies. It is important to clarify that.

In the context of investment, people say, "No problem, no business." There is always a risk with investment. Looking at the scale of research and investment, of high tech companies and of high potential start-up companies here, these have been very much the cornerstone of our fantastic success. Ireland would be entirely lost without work of the IDA and Enterprise Ireland in achieving that. Now that Deputy Ross has returned, I would like to comment on his subjective view of Enterprise Ireland. I know from my experience in the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, that in the context of the achievements in the area of cross-Border development, high potential start-up companies and truth of the saying "No problem, no business", there is always a certain element of loss. However, when we look at the overall result, the jobs created in every community, the LEOs and service level agreement, I believe Enterprise Ireland has done an outstanding job.

I have visited some of the high potential start-up companies. There is always a risk involved, but it is important to see young entrepreneurs and young business people encouraged and to take the quantitative risk, not alone here but also in Northern Ireland. Rather than be subjective about cross-Border investment, we should be objective. It is important for the economy of the whole island. We should make this message clear and also clarify that the cost of a job should not be counted entirely in terms of the cost for Enterprise Ireland, but attached to the overall turnover. In the retail sense, the cost of a job is based at retail, rather than cost. If we accept that in the case of Enterprise Ireland, we are getting very good value per cost.