Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)

I will not repeat what other Members have said. However, I thank Deputy McHugh and Mr. Laurence Robertson, MP, for the way they go about their business and do such a good job chairing the assembly.

I wish to talk about the part I play in the assembly. I serve on the economic affairs committee - committee C - where most recently we compiled a report on the small and medium enterprise sector. I thank Deputies Jack Wall and Arthur Spring for their contributions. The report is detailed and very important. It lays down much of the foundation for addressing the challenges and opportunities facing small and medium sized businesses in the coming years. As Deputy Jack Wall observed, the SME sector is enduring great difficulties in the current economic climate. In particular, businesses are experiencing enormous problems in accessing finance. The report predicts that between now and the end of 2016, owing to "stricter requirements", the banks will not be in a position to supply the finance needed to support the growth potential in the small business sector. That will be a major challenge for Government in both of these islands. We will have to look beyond the banks to non-traditional financial sources to support the SME sector, which will be a challenge in itself. SMEs are of critical importance to our economy and that of the United Kingdom and a thriving small business sector is an indispensable ingredient for economic recovery. As such, I am encouraged by the initiatives that have been put in place to engage with the sector, to promote its growth and to ease the path to finance.

I take this opportunity to address a misleading and mischievous article in one of the national newspapers yesterday which sought to portray me as some sort of Marie Antoinette figure who, instead of saying "let them eat cake", was saying "let them eat caviar". Deputy Joe McHugh understood the point I was making, which was to point out the excellent job creation opportunities that exist in the artisan food production sector. I gave the example of a company in my constituency which is the first to produce caviar in Ireland. This seemed to me a very good news story, but the newspaper in question turned it on its head. I acknowledged when I made the point that I might well be pilloried for it and, sure enough, my computer is hopping from the abuse being heaped on me for seeking to put caviar on the menu in the Dáil restaurant. The newspaper article certainly left a bad taste in my mouth. With friends like these, who needs enemies?

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