John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

When it comes to the reality of business in the retail trade at present, if one takes small business, while retail is under considerable pressure, it is about confidence and credit. There are many spheres in the economy affecting small business, while Deputy Calleary gets hung up on the retail trade.

The previous Administration fuelled shopping centres in every village and town, far beyond what was needed. Deputy Calleary may have a big issue, which he has raised time and again, with rents. It is not as big an issue as he makes out. There may be one exception, but the bulk of landlords have vacant units in every large town and city, not only here in Dublin, and are happy to renegotiate, and that is now taking place.

With the promotion of the micro-loan fund, every county and city enterprise board has launched a plan of action. The Department is conscious of that and there will be promotion of that in the new year. We have a clear plan.

It is important to recognise that 258,000 people work in retail and wholesale. There is the proliferation of the large multiples. People are now selling alcohol below cost. It is the 80:20 principle. It is driven by value. When one looks at the tourism sector, there is a revitalisation as a result of the lower VAT on hotels. We have done more in 18 months for small business than the previous Administration did in 14 years. The previous Administration did nothing for them.

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