Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. While we disagree on a huge amount, there is broad agreement that the gap needs to be addressed. We know the IDA has attracted thousands of multinationals since its establishment. The success can be seen in the results for 2021, where we see more than 275,000 people employed in the multinational sector. Enterprise Ireland is also doing a good job in its responsibility for developing and growing export markets. It is just that gap that has been identified. We see agencies like InterTradeIreland and Údarás na Gaeltachta, which do good work in that area. However, for the non-foreign direct investment, FDI, non-exporting companies, there is that gap. Now is the time to move in. We are talking all the time of reasons why businesses might fail. We have the experience of businesses being supported through Covid and the need to protect jobs, particularly at this time. We would welcome the opportunity to work with the Department on this. As I said, it is long-standing Sinn Féin policy. We have identified that gap and we have some ideas. I would be happy to share those with the Minister of State and work with him.

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