Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am doing so. We will show them what rural Ireland is about and the difference made to a town and its society by a small factory brought there by foreign direct investment. It makes a difference to job creation and work experience for young students. There is also investment in the community, along with rates and tax paid by workers. It is not always about the "double Irish" or us being like leprechauns with the luck of the Irish. This is about serious business and having an Ireland that is fit for purpose. It is about having some future for our young people and supporting them.

This legislation is badly needed and we must allow these companies to do business and have confidence that they can do it here. I fear for the day when my colleagues on the hard left - they are so hard now they cannot even feel themselves - are in government as nobody will be left in Ireland only themselves and a few more. No businessmen or young entrepreneur will invest in anything. It will be like the flight of the earls; they will be gone and imithe.

I thank the Minister for her recent visit to Tipperary. I will say again that I hope she will still be in situnext week but whoever is the Minister, the Department will still be there, along with the culture of attracting jobs and having them here, which is necessary and vital. I support the Bill fully.

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