Linda Nelson Murray (Fine Gael)

I thank the witnesses for coming in. It was great to read their statements. I am a very strong advocate for small businesses. We are very lucky in our county of Meath to have the fabulous Meath chamber, which is run by Paula McCaul and Trish McDonnell, who I am sure the witnesses are well aware of. In Meath, we run a careers expo, an apprenticeships expo and women in business lunches, which I try to attend as often as I can. We also have the Mí Meath card, which supports local businesses. Only recently, I was in Dundalk for a six-chamber event where we merged chambers from all around. There is very good work being done. Well done.

On the Chambers Ireland submission, in the overall 14-page document, three lines are given over to building resilient towns and communities. This is something I am very passionate about. I really fear for the businesses on the high streets. I urge and encourage Chambers Ireland to really look at those businesses and to see what more we can do to help them. I appreciate all the points raised in the submissions. There is a lot of work going on in our towns at the moment. Many car parking spaces are being removed, a lot of plants and cycle lanes are being put in and a lot of road works are being done that leave businesses in upheaval. A business was in contact me last week that could not believe another cycle lane was going in. Even though it is fantastic for our towns that this is happening, support is needed for these businesses while they go through this upheaval as the towns are developed. Do the witnesses have any ideas around that?

I have a two-part question. I was in Athboy this morning and in Enfield on Monday. I worry about the towns and about the businesses on the high streets. What could we in the Government do to support them more? Perhaps I will ask that first and then come in with my second question, which is on training. Do the witnesses want to respond to that part first?