Ms Bernadette Phelan:

On engagement with SMEs, as a business network, we have been focused for 20 years on talking to larger businesses. However, larger businesses are engaging with SMEs through their supply chains. Within Irish businesses the aim is to have a reputation internationally for high standards. It is a reputational issue, as well as an issue of economic competitiveness. On the point made by Ms Heaney, business leaders are talking about this issue a lot more. In terms of how people do business, SMEs want to trade with companies that have similar standards and apply similar norms in terms of what they expect. The business community is talking a lot more. We are seeing the likes of the local chamber, local enterprise offices and IBEC becoming involved. The mainstreaming of the debate is important. Business leaders are talking about this agenda and mirroring it. Business networks and fora are also embracing it. That should address the Chairman's point about engagement with SMEs.