David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Last week, we were told that the National Training Fund has a surplus of €1.5 billion. IBEC made six recommendations to us: introduce a national training voucher scheme; support dual investment in technology and talent; invest in industry-academia collaboration; incentivise more SMEs to take on apprentices; leverage the fund to implement lifelong learning; and future-proof Ireland’s openness and attractiveness as a destination for talent. I bring the Minister’s attention the fact that this fund, which again is a result of the booming economy, has a €1.5 billion and growing surplus at the moment. Perhaps there are opportunities for the Department to work with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to use that fund. The Minister may not know now, as it is probably not directly his responsibility.

I am quite concerned about the development of ports. A committee delegation visited Belfast. At the moment, Belfast is the only port in the country, we are told-----