Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I am delighted to hear the regional enterprise strategies, which I introduced when Minister, have had a positive impact. There was scepticism about the initiative at that time, but it has proved its value. In the years ahead, it will show that we can consolidate regional development on the basis of strong enterprise. I note from the LEO returns that they had a fantastic year, but nonetheless 4,500 jobs were lost. What is the take across the LEO network and Enterprise Ireland with regard to companies that have got into difficulties in the face of Brexit or Covid and have been more dependent on domestic markets? Are we going to see significant companies getting into difficulty? In regard to the new low-cost examinership process, is it anticipated that it will come into play for some of the Enterprise Ireland companies?

In the bigger picture of dependence on British companies, traditionally the smaller Irish companies were 40% to 50% dependent on the UK market. Have we seen much shift in that in the past two years to diversify some of those companies that could be vulnerable in the current situation?