Mr. Eoin O'Neill:

I will finish by addressing Deputy O'Sullivan's question on Ireland and expansion of our trade footprint. It is a very important question and it consumes the discussions with members and their ability to plan for the future. We very much commend the work of the State agencies, particularly Enterprise Ireland, in their resolute attempt to get businesses to focus on the implications of Brexit and where it might take them but also on the need to expand markets. It is worthy of note that the work being done, particularly by the diplomatic service in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade should be commended. The opening of five new missions abroad will help significantly. We have seen at first hand the critical work that the ambassador and the teams do, particularly abroad in flying the flag for Ireland. Sometimes that is in difficult markets or areas.

That Irish presence definitely opens the door. I would particularly encourage businesses which have not so far taken steps to do so. A survey of small and medium enterprises produced last week by the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland, showed only 16% had taken a step forward to prepare their Brexit plans. That is too small a number. The number needs to be increased and there are supports and grants available for businesses to work in that area. We beat a constant drum in terms of talking to small and medium enterprises about the need to step up and do some prep work in that space. I understand that small businesses are busy doing what is required for the day job, but planning a strategy for where it might take them will be very important. The money and funding is available and the work Enterprise Ireland is doing to try to open up new markets is critical, in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs.