Margaret Conlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to comment on the amendment to the motion.

It is important that certain key steps are taken to ensure that Ireland remains a highly competitive economy. At the top of that agenda, there must be no delay in delivering the national development plan. The Government has shown that it fully intends to do this, as evidenced by the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, in his December 2007 budget where he prioritised the plan. It is necessary for the future development of our country and to meet future challenges.

While the international economy is under pressure, especially with the weak dollar and sterling, Ireland is still performing well and it would be remiss of us to talk down our strengths. Exports in Enterprise Ireland-supported enterprises grew by an annual average of 5.2% between 2000 and 2006, with export growth of 7% for the first half of 2007. In the choppy waters of international trading conditions, exports grew to over €154 billion in 2007 and the Government is committed to meeting the challenges head-on as they steer a steady ship.

A new opportunity for the economy is coming via the strong number of skilled immigrants. We should relax restrictions on immigrants who want to set up a business here in Ireland and contribute to the economy. The Government has identified certain strategic gaps in the economy and it aims to fill these gaps through the effective implementation of new employment permits in the workforce by a new green card scheme. We must keep going forward with such moves. Cross-departmental synergy is required to tackle the problems for immigrants in getting loans, mortgages and credit via the Department of Finance, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Minister of State with responsibility for integration and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. We must, through the social partnership process, convey to financial institutions the importance of them playing their part in the provision of credit lines to immigrants who wish to set up their own businesses.

Another highlight for the economy and companies has been the highly successful recent trade missions led by the Taoiseach and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin. Indeed, I was proud that Monaghan's Harte Peat was one of the major winners out of the South African trade mission. This company is ambitious in its targets and aims to supply 35% of the mushroom industry in South Africa within the next 18 months. It should be an inspiration to other companies, both in Monaghan and nationally, that the company can carve out such niches, both at home and abroad. It is to be commended for its initiative and entrepreneurial spirit.

It would be remiss of me not to note the recent awful job losses at Grove Turkeys in Monaghan. The loss of this high number of jobs in a rural setting would be the equivalent 1,000 or more job losses in one of our major cities, such is the ripple effect. It is important that these indigenous industries are assisted at every level to meet the many challenges facing them on the international stage.

Furthermore, it is important that the Government continues to work within the EU to ensure that Irish companies are not inadvertently put at risk compared to their European counterparts with the draft EU directive providing for derogations on equal treatment which could lead to different terms for enterprises in Ireland because of our different legal and industrial relations framework.

The Government's commitment to research and development must be recognised. This is one area where funding is targeted at businesses to ensure that they are able to keep product development at the top of their agenda. This year, the Minister announced €500 million in a simplified research and development scheme. Ireland has improved in this regard; we were ranked fifth in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook last year.

There are many challenges remaining for the economy. The Government is tackling these issues and the Minister, Deputy Martin's, lead steps are to be welcomed.

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