Tom Barry (Cork East, Fine Gael)

I welcome the Bill, which represents another step in the right direction. As a politician, as an employer and as someone who created his own business 20 years ago, I really do not need to be told what is required in order to create or run a business. Many people tend to expel a great deal of hot air about business. One must be right in the thick of it, however, in order to understand the problems, fears and other issues involved. Running a business is difficult because one never knows from where the next challenge will come. There is no doubt that plenty of challenges exist.

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