Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)

The Minister should talk to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in that regard.

I agree with the Minister that there is high-end manufacturing here but the majority of that, and the examples the Minister gave, are in the foreign direct investment coming to this country. We must develop our indigenous companies.

The Minister spoke about research and development. I will give the Minister one figure regarding this country's research and development capacity. We are a primary producer. We are not like the majority of other European countries. We export the vast majority of our food, yet 4% of the Government's total research and development budget has consistently gone towards that area over the past few years. It is only now, nine years into the term of this Government, that the penny is dropping in that regard. Rather than talk around the issue, what will the Minister do in practical terms to deal with the issues of regulation, the need for investment in research and development and the stealth charges his Government has introduced?

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