Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I move amendment No. 7:

In page 5, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following:
“7. In carrying out the functions as set out in this Act, a local authority, acting on behalf of Enterprise Ireland, shall have regard to the needs of domestic firms in the non-exporting sector.”.

The Minister will not be surprised to learn that I am not convinced that Enterprise Ireland understands the needs of local enterprises which are not interested in exporting. I have in mind companies which provide a service in the local community. While Enterprise Ireland has stated it will make every effort to understand such companies, its focus, understandably, is on companies that want to export and high-potential start-ups. It does a very good job in that respect. The amendment would require Enterprise Ireland to focus on the needs of the butcher, baker and candlestick maker, as it were, which are currently supported by country enterprise boards, for example, through training. Businesses need to be trained and briefed in areas such as employment law, an issue raised by Deputy Tóibin. Many enterprise boards used to provide such training. We want to ensure this continues and the basic needs of business are not forgotten when Enterprise Ireland moves into town.