Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

I could not agree more with the Deputy. The implication of this is vital. There are two dimensions, one of which is creating a strong small business unit in Enterprise Ireland, which will create excellence and standards, allocate budgets and hold local authorities to benchmarks of business friendly standards. There will be that level of engagement from a centre of excellence in Enterprise Ireland. Equally, local authorities are being enlisted to reform their small business units and county development boards and to orient themselves towards the needs of local enterprise and become more active in shaping local economic development. There are wins on both sides. There is access for small businesses to all programmes developed by Enterprise Ireland and oversight by a centre of excellence in Enterprise Ireland of enterprise culture and instruments. There is also a call to action within local authorities to deliver to small businesses according to the standards expected.

Like Deputy Tóibín, I meet businesses that complain about the response of local authorities. This is about reforming that and bringing local authorities to be part of the solution to the enterprise challenge. It is very exciting, with great potential for wins, which the Deputy recognises in his question while also saying bí cúramach.

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