Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I gave a range of metrics at the enterprise committee this morning on the real performance of the south east. I have not got the time to go through them here but unfortunately they do not tally with what the Taoiseach has just described. The supports the Government is offering to the SME sector in particular are not enough. A lot has been done, as I said, but it will not be enough to hold back the wave of insolvencies and redundancies over what is essentially a geopolitical issue that is going to take out good competitive businesses. Their employees are going to be the victims also.

On the WDC, its job is largely done. I am not looking to see it scrapped but for something that has been really successful brought into play in other regions. Some of the problems that are outlined in relation to the Border have to do with regional issues around there but we must look at this. This morning I asked the Tánaiste if he would consider this and he has opened the door to doing so. This needs to be done.

If we are to put regions on par, we must have similar bodies to support their economic and policy development into the future.

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