Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Small businesses see the local authorities as cost centres, regarding planning applications, rates, enforcement etc. They do not regard local authorities as having a culture of enterprise. Representatives of the SFA and ISME have told the committee that it would be disastrous if this proceeds. The Minister of State has left it very late to consult these organisations, but given that he is consulting them, will he give scope for a new direction with regard to how enterprise support will develop?

Some 250 SMEs close every week yet Enterprise Ireland has had a €13 million underspend this year. How can that be the case given the difficulties being experienced by small businesses?

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