Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I thank Deputy Rabbitte and the Labour Party for sharing time with me. We broadly welcome this Bill and recognise that it is largely a technical one to give effect to decisions already made. I welcome the increase in the grant threshold which is more practical and realistic than the previous one. We will support that provision. Another important provision is the proper designation at long last of Louth, Laois-Offaly and Westmeath as part of the Border Midlands and Western, BMW, region. We have been regarded as part of that area for some time but I welcome its formal designation in this Bill.

I hope the Bill will bring recognition to indigenous enterprise and enhance the Government's view of that sector because successive Governments made a mistake in not dealing more with it. The construction sector was the be all and end all. It has been an important part of the economy for more than a decade, but it is unfortunate that it was allowed to run riot. I do not want to accuse the Government of ignoring the indigenous sector because that is not strictly true. Enterprise Ireland and FÁS have offered substantial support to that sector but, unfortunately, not enough. Many indigenous enterprises are owner-managed and often the owner-manager is so busy trying to keep up with day-to-day activity that the notion of innovation does not arise because he or she has no time to pay attention to that important element of enterprise. I know of several indigenous enterprises that operate within the confines of the State and believe that many of them have an export capacity but cannot set their sights in that direction.

It is more than a coincidence that our two biggest export markets, Britain and America, are English-speaking countries. That suggests that language is an issue for indigenous enterprise trying to get into the export market. While I am aware that embassies are diplomatic rather than enterprise entities, although I am sure they report on what is happening in their respective locations, would the Government consider using the embassies to support indigenous enterprise? I know they have other important responsibilities but an office could be allocated within the embassy to assist indigenous enterprise with, for example, translation. Another important element would be if embassies were to assist entrepreneurs with information on local regulatory regimes concerning taxation or legal issues that might arise from the Irish enterprise engaging in their respective states. Such assistance might cost little and would allow significant additional movement by Irish enterprises seeking to gain some of the edge in export.

It is difficult to find an international customer for anything at present, given the credit crunch, the depression and the lack of economic activity but sometimes that is the best time to get in and get going. Doing so might enable businesses to get in on a lower threshold, get started and prepare themselves for the upturn when it comes.

Deputy Rabbitte raised the issue of credit to enterprise. That has virtually dried up and there are businesses such as small supermarkets that are finding it difficult to stock their shelves because of lack of credit and difficulty with turnover. The banks are not playing ball.

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