Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)

I am aware that the economy, energy and external relations are the key themes. However, I am surprised that the Minister has managed to gloss over the economy, which is probably the most pressing issue of direct relevance to this country. I have noted that the Czech Presidency has laid particular emphasis on the role of the EU in enhancing competitiveness, and I have some questions in that regard. We have seen emphasis over the past ten years or so as regards the Lisbon strategy and improving and enhancing competitiveness across the EU. I wonder whether any particular developments are envisaged in that regard, because this is now of major concern to the Irish people.

In addition, under the economy heading, a good deal of emphasis has been laid on the role of small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs. As I am sure the Minister is aware a package, known as the "Small Business Act", which is a series of proposals on reducing regulation and making it easier for SMEs to operate in the EU, is of major concern, both for the Irish and the European-wide economies, and is being emphasised, it appears, by the Czech Presidency as well. I wonder whether there are concrete proposals in that regard. I asked the Minister's colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Mary Coughlan, about this last autumn, but bizarrely, she did not even seem to have heard of it. Are there any specific proposals on credit flows for SMEs under that package?

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