Frank O'Rourke (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming before the committee and giving us such a detailed statement and update on the ongoing work. I want to follow on from what my colleagues have said on Dublin Port, where I worked for 19 years. Many exceptional thriving companies that employ a lot of people are based there. They operate on the basis of moving in and out fairly seamlessly to do business. This is effective and good for the economy. If no proper infrastructure and plans are put in place, it will have huge implications both for the city and for the many companies operating very effectively and efficiently in Dublin Port. They need the road infrastructure to operate competitively because we certainly would not want anything to impact negatively on them. There is a broader context for the existing businesses operating in the area and they need to be considered, supported and assisted.

To come back to what we are hearing through leaks and rumours, which may not be true, what are the thoughts of the Minister of State on the British Prime Minister even considering such alleged rumoured or leaked proposals, given that he knows it would be completely unacceptable to the Irish Government, based on conversations and the agreement in place since December 2017, not to mention the illegal implications of what he proposes or suggests? I am concerned, following the comments of a previous speaker, that if it is true, he is pursuing it on the basis of a softening of position in Europe to try to get a deal. In such a case, will the agreement and plans in place between the Irish and British Governments become the sacrificial lamb with regard to getting an outcome, deal or agreement? Obviously we do not want this. We know it is totally opposed, not alone by the Irish Government but also by all parties in the House.

There have been rumours about an extension of time and this has been spoken about and discussed at various levels. How does the Minister of State feel this could come about given that the British Prime Minister, Mr. Johnson, has certainly said he will not look for an extension of time? Europe has indicated an extension would be supported, and the Irish Commissioner, Phil Hogan, has said on public record it would be supported and given, but how could it come about, given the Prime Minister of the day has certainly indicated he will not ask for it? This leads us to believe the UK is heading for a crash-out at the end of October if there is no deal in the meantime. How does the Minister of State see this playing out with regard to an extension if it were to be considered?

With regard to the funding available to businesses, I am a supportive advocate of the SME sector, given that they are the lifeblood of the economy and the number of people they employ.

Why does the Minister of State think there has been such a slow take-up of that funding and why are they not knocking the door down to avail of it? Is it because the scheme is too complex and complicated? Is it surrounded by too much red tape? We know that business is struggling in a number of areas. Although the economy is recovering and we are back to a very low percentage of unemployment, business is still struggling every day with wages, high insurance costs, access to credit and all that goes with it. Is this perhaps a step too far and the scheme too complicated and complex and that this is why they are not availing of it? Is the red tape something the Minister of State has considered and something that needs to be reviewed?

I must apologise to the Minister of State and the committee, but I have been selected to deal with a Topical Issue which is very important in local politics in the constituency. I will probably have to leave before the Minister of State replies to my questions.