Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I speak in support of the motion. If the Minister of State, Deputy Billy Kelleher looks back on the record of the Dáil he will see time and again that following the budget announcements made by the Taoiseach when he was Minister for Finance, this side of the House consistently pointed out that the over-dependence on income from property tax was unsustainable and would lead to a bust. This was pointed out time and again in this House and outside it. The Government chose to ignore those warnings. The Minister of State, Deputy Kelleher, spoke about the messenger; broadcast and print media are at the messengers and they report matters as they see them. The Minister of State should look to his own.

I accept what the Minister of State stated, that he will take whatever blame is coming. We have had many reports that point to the fact that we would not be in this situation today if different decisions had been taken. Nevertheless, that is an issue which will be decided by the people when we have a general election. They will be the final arbitrator on where they see things having gone wrong.

In the few moments available to me, I want to focus on a couple of points. This is about job creation and pointing out to the Government where it can provide the type of environment where jobs and enterprise can flourish. We have an enormous problem in banking. However, at the same time, stimulus must be provided and we need to create the type of environment in which enterprise can develop and existing enterprises can stabilise.

The Forfás report produced last week outlined various areas in which enterprise can be encouraged and developed. In his opening statement, Mr. Martin Shanahan stated that now is the time for action. We have had all the reports. We know what has to be done. The National Competitiveness Council produced a report outlining the costs of doing business in this country and what needs to be done to ensure we become more competitive. This report recommends various initiatives that can and should be taken across a range of areas, including education and skills development. I will focus on entrepreneurship and regulation in that area, which will be very important. It will not be the solution to everything but we have to continue to ensure that we have an environment in which entrepreneurs can dip their toes in the water, start up businesses and employ people. The indigenous sector is the lifeblood of this economy and small and medium-sized businesses throughout the country will be the key to success.

Bankruptcy law should distinguish between those who are reckless and fraudulent. The bankruptcy laws in this country are Draconian and need to be updated. We have had one nod in this direction from the Minister for Justice and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern, in the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010, which would reduce the application period to the court for discharge from bankruptcy from 12 years to six years. This is not enough. As it stands, the law on bankruptcy for individuals and companies is putting people off establishing businesses and does not contribute to an environment in which we can encourage entrepreneurs. Will the Minister of State ask the Government to examine this area? It is something that can be done, it is probably cost neutral, and would contribute to creating an environment in which people can start their own businesses. It would encourage small and medium-sized enterprises and the creation of jobs throughout the country.

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