Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We do listen to the sector. I have not seen the report. My general opinion on institutional innovation is that I start with policy actions. It is only if the policy action cannot be delivered by existing institutional arrangements that I start to look at new institutions. I have been around a long time and have seen a lot of energy put into setting up institutions. What we should put our energy into is using existing institutions to drive practical policy initiatives. If there are practical policy initiatives that we can bring forward then let us have a look at them and see if existing institutional arrangements can deliver them. If that cannot be done, then let us consider what institutional innovations are needed. That is my general approach. I have tried to take out structures and simplify matters. I have merged the LEOs back into local authorities. I have also put a centre of excellence within an existing body, in Enterprise Ireland, to oversee them. That dynamic is working. We have robbed counties of institutions, boards and so on, but the innovation has worked.

Let us look at the policy initiatives that we are trying to drive. What we have been able to do through such an approach is to get the young entrepreneurs thing going. We also use local authorities. LEOs are now big players and have more than doubled the output generated by microfinance. We also gave them new mandates. That would be my approach generally. If there is material in this study then perhaps we should look at whether local enterprise offices can be partners or if an initiative can be taken. That is my preference for approaching this matter, but my view is based on what I know. I will take a look at the report published by Retail Excellence Ireland but I have outlined my policy presumption. I do not want to invest in institutions; I want to invest in actions that deliver on the ground.