Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to make one last comment, which is positive. Last week I got three phone calls from business people. One of them who was starting up a new business has invested in property in the region and expects to be up and running with the project in September. It is a good-news story. These are young business people in their 30s. I will be directing them towards Enterprise Ireland which will be able to provide supports.

Another company owner, employing 25 people at the moment, sees the potential to expand that to 50 people. They are looking at doing that now. They are not waiting for supports or someone to tell them what to do.

An out-of-work carpenter started to make little pods in his own back garden. He now has such a demand for them that he is looking for space for his workshop. There is great potential, but we need to ensure we support them in every way we can through LEOs, Enterprise Ireland etc. Sometimes Enterprise Ireland is looking towards export potential which may not develop for several years. I was surprised to get three similar phone calls from three young people who see the potential and want to drive ahead. There is great potential in indigenous enterprise within the country. We need to harness that, embrace it and shout about it from the rooftops because it is very important to give other people the confidence to do the same.