Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I congratulate my party's spokesperson on enterprise, trade and employment, Deputy Leo Varadkar, on tabling the motion. It is time the Government started to live in the real world. The serious economic problems being experienced daily were evident yesterday when Abbott Ireland in Galway announced it would close. I knew something was afoot when the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Micheál Martin, visited Castlebar the other day to announce a €70 million package for a company in the town. While the announcement, which will not deliver new jobs, was welcome, I knew bad news was on the way. One must watch out when a Minister visits an area to make an empty announcement. The bad news duly came and further bad news will soon come because Ireland is no longer competitive.

Indirect taxation is creating a major problem. People cannot afford to pay the stealth taxes imposed on them and small businessmen are being crucified by local authorities. They do not get value from the rates and must pay water and refuse charges to cover the cost of increases in the salaries of local authority employees, which should be covered by central Government.

Tesco and Dunnes Stores are destroying small businesses. In England communities are coming together to try to stop multiples from locating in smaller towns because they are destroying businesses and jobs. Deputies say one thing when in opposition but do nothing about it when they cross the floor. That applies to all Governments. It is time we gave small businesses, which provide employment, a chance.

The other day, a businessman in my constituency informed me that the costs of rent and the charges he pays to the local authority for water and rates mean that he will not be in business next year. He has a young family and will have to apply for social welfare payments, which is not good for the country. It is time small businesses were supported. Representatives of local authorities should be told they cannot pass on higher costs through stealth charges.

Is the backbench Government Deputy who I heard giving out about the Opposition listening to people on the ground? The reason we are losing jobs and that investors no longer want to invest here is that the Government has become arrogant, believes it knows everything and will not listen to anybody. Companies, particularly in the manufacturing industry, can invest in Britain and other cheaper parts of Europe. The Government needs to live in the real world.

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