Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The ratio of State investment into indigenous versus foreign direct investment is not equivalent to the ratio of employment. In the indigenous sector it is far higher than its proportionate level of investment by the Government. The Minister mentioned the efforts the Government makes towards export-oriented companies. However, export performance is still poor among SMEs. Exports from this sector to Germany, the Benelux, Italy and Spain, an area four times the size of Britain, only come to 40% of the total exported to Britain. Outside of the British market, SMEs are still very weak. The non-exporting sector, which accounts for 60% of the aggregate investment in indigenous companies in this State, is not being leveraged to help these businesses. The majority of investment, trade and business among indigenous businesses is nowhere near exports. This is where the Government needs to focus its efforts.

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