John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

The policies successive Governments have put in place since 1997 ensured exports increased by 7% or €157 billion last year and our strategy in developing markets in Asia has resulted in a rapid increase in trade to that region of between 30% and 40%. I accompany representatives of Irish companies on trade delegations to those markets and they have consistently punched above their weight. They are doing business in diverse economies such as the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Canada and the US. Irish companies are ranked tenth in job creation in America and the pay off for this investment is jobs that are being sustained domestically. Fine Gael fails to recognise that, which is unfair to those who take these risks.

I refer to Deputy Ring's comments on enterprise boards. He stated everything is done for foreigners who invest in Ireland but refused to acknowledge the fact that 21 businesses received grants amounting to €500,000 in County Mayo in 2007. The same happened in County Kilkenny, while 26 companies received €600,000 in County Kildare. Deputy Varadkar referred to upskilling the workforce. Enterprise boards are making significant investment in sustainable, indigenous jobs in every county and they have on record companies who continually return to them for assistance in education and training for both their employees and managers.

Recently the House debated the world trade talks for two days and no Opposition trade spokesperson made a contribution. That says a great deal about the Opposition's policies and future outlook for this country. It is essential Ireland achieves a good deal in those talks. I am glad a number of Opposition agriculture spokespersons support the Government's approach but Fine Gael Members fail to see the future in the context of those talks. They should be ashamed of themselves for coming into the House week in, week out saying the same thing without acknowledging the positive aspects to the economy.

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