Niall Collins (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)

At the outset, I congratulate the new Members, Deputies O'Sullivan and Lee, on their election to Dáil Éireann and wish them all the best in the time they serve their people here.

Like the previous speakers, I welcome the publication of this Bill. Certainly, I am glad that there seems to be cross-party consensus in advancing the intent of expanding the remit of the Small Claims Court to the area of debt collection. I suppose I would have a minor concern at the outset that the existing system would not become overly complex. It is my firm view that the existing small claims procedure is user-friendly and quite simple, where any citizen can complete a simple one-page form, lodge €15 and be into the system where his or her complaint can be dealt with in a simple and efficient manner. While we are discussing small and medium business here tonight, we all are obviously aware of the many onerous regulations and much red tape that has been inflicted on small and medium business and we should at all times strive to minimise the effects of such regulation. Indeed, as long as I have been a public representative, I have actively advised people to avail of the good offices of the small claims registrar in the Limerick courts and I thank the staff who have dealt with those issues in an effective manner.

On small and medium enterprise in general, as in other areas of the country small businesses form the backbone of employment in many communities right across my constituency in County Limerick, in towns such as Newcastlewest, Kilmallock, Bruff, Rathkeale, Cappamore and Murroe. Many such enterprises derive much of their business from the agri-related sectors. Small and medium enterprise goes hand in hand with the agricultural sector and we must continue to promote, foster and protect it as much as possible.

In saying that, I am also conscious of the recently published live register figures. This is a worry to all of us in my constituency and, indeed, is a human tragedy for the many people who are losing their jobs. I look forward to the imminent publication of the interim report of the task force, which is chaired by Mr. Denis Brosnan, where we will look at the area of job promotion and job protection in the mid-west. There are many people who, in the fall-out from the recent Dell redundancies, are certainly awaiting that report with the expectation that something positive will come out of it. I ask that the State agencies in the mid-west redouble their efforts to try to attract more foreign direct investment to the area. Askeaton in County Limerick has a fine, fully serviced business park of approximately 100 acres. It is waiting for a start-up enterprise that will provide many badly needed jobs.

Regarding small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs, we have tackled other issues. For example, we dealt with the problematic cost of insurance effectively through the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, PIAB. However, we must consider the many other issues surrounding credit. We all know that the Government is pursuing the establishment of NAMA, but I am concerned that NAMA is being kicked around like a political football. Business needs confidence, but it sees the Dáil bickering over NAMA. We must move beyond that and realise that NAMA is the only show in town. This side of the House is being accused of bailing out the bankers and developers, but I could say that the other side, which opposes NAMA, comprises the big developers, namely, the Labour and Fine Gael parties. Since bickering gets us nowhere, we need to move beyond it.

The greatest issue is competitiveness. There are a number of strategies, including the smart and green economies to reduce energy costs. Thankfully, those costs have reduced and I hope the fall will continue. I was heartened by the Fianna Fáil Party's local election manifesto in which we sought to freeze local authority rates for the next three years to assist small businesses. This aim is important, as are development levies. As we all know from our time serving on local authorities, the rate struck was the balancing figure in our budgets at the end of the year.

I acknowledge the recent statement by the Chairperson of the Revenue Commissioners to the effect that they are taking a pragmatic, reasonable and proactive approach to the collection of taxes. Doing so is right and necessary. While people and businesses must pay their fiduciary taxes, VAT, PAYE and corporation taxes, the Revenue Commissioners have responded responsibly and reasonably and have allowed businesses to adapt to their straitened cash flows.

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