Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)

Fine Gael Deputies have repeatedly argued in this debate that a growth and jobs plan must be introduced in parallel with a fiscal plan for recovery. It is difficult to create jobs in the current environment. Many companies have gone out of business owing to the burden of rates and service charges. To ensure local authorities do not seek court orders against employers or developers, the Valuation Office should be instructed to reduce valuations on commercial and industrial properties by between 10% and 20%. Local authorities would then be required to reduce their rates demands, which would allow many small enterprises to continue to operate.

We must eliminate many of the invasive restrictions imposed on businesses by statutory and non-statutory bodies and agencies. The work of some of these bodies in the areas of employment and health and safety constitutes an attack on entrepreneurs and business people. While regulations are important, certain agencies take an excessively zealous approach. Several people have recently complained to me that they have great difficulty complying with certain employment regulations because they impede the reasonable operation of small businesses. I refer, in particular, to the National Employment Rights Authority, which is causing serious problems to many businesses, especially in the hospitality sector, as they try to operate in difficult times. The authority must be reasonable.

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food indicated that agriculture accounts for approximately one third of total exports. I will highlight an event that has caused embarrassment to Irish Members of the European Parliament. Although the matter was covered in the media, I heard about it on Monday from Mr. Jim Higgins, MEP, who represents the west constituency. At a recent food trade fair in Brussels, the 27 member states of the European Union had an opportunity to display the quality foods they produce. For some unknown reason, Bord Bia and the Irish embassy have refused to take responsibility for a problem that arose at the show and I was unable to obtain answers to questions this morning. The Irish stand, which was located between the French and Greek stands, both of which featured high quality products, was manned by two non-nationals and featured nothing more than an empty Murphy's stout bottle and business cards for Irish pubs. Although Bord Bia has responsibility in this regard, it has stated it was unaware this event was taking place. Moreover, our embassy personnel there have commented that due to cutbacks at home, they were unable to either staff or stock the event. Had the opportunity been given to Irish food producers instead, they would have stocked all the stands in Brussels. I seek an explanation as to the reason such an promotional opportunity was missed because all Ministers, including the Taoiseach, have been talking about the promotion of Irish farm products and the quality that exists in this regard. However, the farming community has been let down by reneging on an opportunity that does not often present itself in such a fashion.

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