Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Varadkar has an extraordinarily bleak vision of the public service and is welcome to it. If one compares its work today to that of 20 years ago, one sees vast difference and significant improvements.

These continuing efforts have resulted in Ireland being ranked eighth out of 178 countries in terms of ease of doing business and fifth for ease of starting a business. I could not believe the commentary of the Opposition on small business. The Government has worked hard in respect of the implementation of the small business forum and SMEs.

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