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

There is and has always been a distinction between businesses with an export potential and businesses that provide a purely domestic service. The rationale for that is very understandable. It would be considered unfair if one is running an existing business and a Department is providing grant aid to someone down the road with whom one is in competition. However, grants are available if someone is in a business with a potential for export. Supports are also available for domestic businesses. A start-up tax credit is available, as is microfinance, mentoring and a range of other supports. Each business is judged on its own merits.

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