Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I am aware of that. That is the reason it is important the Commissioner is in a position to outline to Government and, in particular, to the task force, her plans so that Ireland can get in early to make a pitch for whatever might be appropriate for us.

The terms of reference delineated by the Taoiseach are precisely what we have been talking about for ages, namely, forcing down Government costs, increasing focus on competitiveness and so on. The Taoiseach should consider meeting the officials of the county enterprise boards who work with small business operators and employers who are literally being strangled by red tape. It would do him the world of good to meet them and obtain their reflections on the system within which they must operate, which system is strangling innovation and directly contradicts what the Taoiseach read into the record in regard to the task force innovation programme.

I did not hear fully the Taoiseach's response to Deputy Gilmore on to the €500 million fund. From where will this money come? Has any of it been spent or is there in place a programme in regard to that which it is to be directed at?

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