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

The Deputy has all the solutions, but it is not as simple as coming up with a cocktail of solutions. It would be very simple if we could take that recipe on board. Enterprise Ireland has had the best year ever, with exports by companies it supports topping €16 billion. At the showcase I attended in Drogheda today at 8.30 a.m., there were approximately 35 companies and they are very optimistic about the future. It is a question of confidence.

We have two economies. While the international economy is doing well, there is, without doubt, a great deal of pessimism about and a lack of confidence in the domestic economy. There is a huge amount of money being saved in the economy because there is not the confidence to spend. We have been left with the legacy of an over-supply of retail developments during the boom time. The Government is doing all it can, including activating the new local enterprise offices and providing start-up funds. The many initiatives taken by the Minister to support job creation are being taken on board. It is easy for Deputy Peadar Tóibín to say nothing is being done, but the Government is doing everything it can to encourage innovation, research and development. Despite what the Deputy says, the many small high potential start-up companies which I have met - I also meet people on the doorsteps - are very optimistic. Has the Deputy met any of the high potential start-up companies? While there are always problems in business, exports are increasing. The Deputy did not recognise the figure of €16 billion in exports achieved last year by Enterprise Ireland-supported companies and the expected €1 billion in additional exports this year.

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