Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I refer to a two-part issue which was raised last week by my colleague, Deputy Denis Naughten, in respect of secondary legislation and section 22 of the Finance Act 2012. This concerns the employment investment incentive scheme which awaits approval by the EU Commission. How does this scheme, which has an impact for 230,000 SMEs in this country, stand? In the past the mid-Leinster region and counties Dublin and Cork have been excluded from the scheme, previously known as the business expansion scheme, or BES. Will the Taoiseach consider including those areas?

I refer to No. 30 on the Order Paper, resumed statements on the action plan for jobs. Will the Taoiseach give a commitment that Government time will be given to this in the near future? He might enlighten us on reports of an announcement of a task force, or such development, on employment - if there is anything to impart. Given the directive issued by the Ceann Comhairle on speaking time during the Government period, I hope that when the time comes for statements on the action plan the spirit of the directive will be adhered to, unlike today. We do not want to have to make an issue of this if we are later precluded from contributing to statements.

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