Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to tie the Minister down on what she has said about what she intends to do before she makes any specific announcements on funding. I asked specifically about the establishment of an exporters' fund. Will the Minister give us some detail about what will be done to help exporters? I emphasise that Irish competitiveness is under huge pressure. I am sure the Minister will mention some positive markers on competitiveness. I remind the House that our position in the World Bank's competitiveness ranking has dropped. We are now in 18th place out of 189 economies, having been much higher at one point. As I said when I spoke on the Companies (Accounting) Bill 2016, the Taoiseach wanted Ireland to be the best small country in the world in which to do business by 2016. It is clear that we are missing that target. There is silence on competitiveness. Will the Minister outline what exactly she will do to create a fund? How much will be provided in that fund? When will we see it? Where and when can companies make applications under such a fund?

See this speech in context