Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To address Deputy Timmins, it is beside the point that we are favouring foreign direct investment, FDI, over small to medium-sized enterprises, SMEs. Virtually all of the initiatives in the Action Plan for Jobs are aimed at SMEs, for example, micro-finance, the loan guarantee, the reform of the wage settlement mechanisms, the establishment of local enterprise offices, LEOs, the creation of funds worth €2.5 billion for SMEs, the establishment and extension of the Credit Review Office, CRO, and the simplification of company registration. These initiatives are aimed at making it easier to start and manage a business. Contrary to Deputy Wallace's comments, we are in the top ten easiest countries in which to start a business.

See this speech in context