Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

He is doing a great job for the local economy. I have been in Westport many times. I have seen what the SME sector there has done. When I was there in September, I was impressed to see how the restaurants in the town have looked at the pricing issue. It is positive that they have made an effort to put together packages for families and tourists, etc. We need to be very supportive of such necessary initiatives. While there are many examples of places like that, the Government has to keep an eye on Dublin. As a representative of Dublin Bay North, it is important that Dublin is seen as a major part of any economic development. I strongly believe Dublin city is still Ireland's key economic driver. The Dublin region must be prioritised if it is to develop. Particular attention must be given to encouraging people in other regions to understand the benefits that a successful Dublin can have for them. Other regions can compete with Dublin for investment on an ongoing basis, but this should not stop Dublin from being identified as a region that is entitled to attract jobs and competitively deliver the key infrastructure the State needs. There is no reason for a strategy of divide and conquer.

The Luas and DART projects must go ahead because they will be major components of Dublin's future. The Government should give special consideration to the jobs that will be put at risk in the city centre during the construction period, which will last up to ten years. The current PRSI and tax schemes that encourage companies to take on unemployed companies should be adapted to allow the businesses that will be affected by these works to avail of certain benefits, such as waivers for existing employees, during the long construction period. This might help to stem the job losses that could result from decreased footfall. Dublin city must be funded if it is to compete. Certain activities, such as traffic management and the provision of bus corridors, place a significant burden on Dublin City Council. I suggest that other local authorities should be liable for some of these costs. Perhaps a specific city innovation fund could be established for the Dublin region to encourage investment and new thinking in this area.

When we are talking about the centres of cities like Dublin, we must focus on the importance of the hospitality sector not only from the perspectives of job creation and tourism, but also with regard to how city centres are used. People do much of their big shopping in shopping centres. They are keen to get value for money with regard to issues like parking. We should be more radical in this regard. Our city centres should be places for leisure. It is great if small businesses in city centres get support, but there should not be an over-concentration on that. Thousands of people come to Dublin for sporting events like international rugby matches. They go around town looking for nice restaurants and hotels. That is why it is important for us to focus on the hospitality sector.

If we are to look after the needs of tourists, we must ensure there is a quality policing service on the ground. If a strong community policing service is not provided, people will be afraid to come into the city centre. I remind the House that 33% of people in Dublin have a mental issue about feeling safe in the city centre. We need to bring those people back. I call the approach that should be used to convince them to do so "the Havana approach". When one walks down the streets of Havana in Cuba, as I have done, one does not see any anti-social behaviour because there is a community policeman or policewoman every 200 yards. They look after the tourists and the local people. I urge the Minister to consider this example. People might slag Cuba for other reasons, but when it comes to community policing in the centres of cities like Havana, there is an example of good policing practice that prevents a great deal of crime. Tourists from countries like France, Canada and Ireland are looked after. I have been there and I have seen how it works on the ground. I felt very safe in Havana, which I am using as an example.

If we want Dublin city centre to develop commercially and economically, it is important for it to be safe. At the moment, 33% of people in Dublin and around the fringes of the city have concerns about the safety of the city centre. We need to win back our city and town centres. They belong to the people and should be controlled by the people. If Dublin is to compete internationally, social policy must be accelerated. We need to face the fact that Dublin remains at the bottom of many league tables relating to quality of life issues. Business costs remain a significant problem in the city of Dublin. It is important that we stimulate competition among those providing office space to rent. We must consider ways of utilising a significant percentage of the derelict and under-used buildings in the city. We need to up our game in this regard. It is a question of getting on with it and doing it.

Dublin is heavily reliant on bus transport. Dublin Bus currently locates every bus terminus at the side of the street. This is a particular deterrent for commuters because of the lack of shelter, the overcrowding on pavements and the disincentive to queueing. It offers the potential for fatal accidents, as has been seen in the past. Buses have to be parked somewhere until it is time for them to depart. This adds to traffic congestion. Consideration should be given to the utilisation of an area of land - possibly in the docklands - for the establishment of a city bus terminus that could be used by Dublin Bus and private operators. All buses would terminate and begin from this location. A significant number of people would be encouraged to walk to the bus terminus to avail of better shelter and less crowding. That would cause the pavements to be less congested. The availability of bus parking facilities in the area would reduce the traffic congestion caused by lines of buses waiting on the streets. Essentially, the city centre would be a set-down area only. It would become an entirely moving district. Such ideas for improving the city centre need to be considered.

The use of mobile technology and information and communications technology in Dublin could be improved. The Minister, Deputy Bruton, and the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, are aware of these issues. Mobile service providers and information and communications technology companies should be asked to suggest ways to improve this. I have already spoken about the issue of high rents. If an improved working from home scheme were introduced, this would reduce rents and alleviate consumer congestion. Most employers are unaware of how simply this can be enacted and the savings that can arise. An attempt to change the culture of working in Dublin should be considered to make use of mobile technology. This would allow workers to carry out activities from home, rather than having to be in the office five days a week. We need to consider radical ideas for dealing with these issues. We need to find sensible ways of supporting the SME sector.

I will go back to the details of the legislation. We need to concentrate on the other significant legislation that relates to this Bill, such as the Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003, which established the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority, and the European Communities (Statutory Audits Directive) Regulations 2010, which give EU effect to law in this area. Both of these enactments are amended slightly by this Bill. When I examined section 8 of the 2003 Act, I was reminded of a number of things that should have been done in this country over recent years. I often ask myself why they have not been done. Section 8 of the 2003 Act provides that the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority has four principal objectives, the first of which is "to supervise how the prescribed accountancy bodies regulate and monitor their members". I wish this had been done in the past. The second objective is "to promote adherence to high professional standards in the auditing and accountancy profession". Many questions have been asked in that regard following the crash and the banking crisis. The third objective is "to monitor whether the accounts of certain classes of companies and other undertakings comply with the Companies Acts" and with Article 4 of the international accounting standards regulation. The fourth objective is "to act as a specialist source of advice to the Minister on auditing and accounting matters".

We need accountability and efficiency. We do not need to talk about it. This legislation is doing something about it. I welcome that because it is important. We have to be strongly supportive of the SME sector. I welcome the publication of this legislation because it will give businesses a break, deal with the costs issue, help small companies and - hopefully - lead to the creation of more jobs and the development of this country and its economy.

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