Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

Bearing in mind the Minister of State's previous and current roles and the fact that the quarterly national household survey shows 3,700 people from outside the European Union fall into the category in question, some of whom I hope will remain in Ireland and establish new businesses that may become the Intels of tomorrow, will the Minister of State examine the eight-month delay in the approval of business permits for people who have a good idea, want to develop it into a viable business and employ Irish people? I have asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment about this previously. One third of the applications are being abandoned because of the long delay in processing them.

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