James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and take his response in good faith. I note the Department's research. Its view is that it is not necessary. If that is the case, I take it in good faith. However, it surprised me to learn that Ireland is one of only two EU countries that do not have an export credit guarantee scheme in place. It has been said to me and to Deputy Troy, who tabled this question and who published an article about the topic, that we have tried to boost and support indigenous firms in the export space. I am well aware of the position in my constituency. The Kildare local enterprise office, LEO, and Kildare Chamber of Commerce did great work in that area. I am supportive of them.

I heard what the Minister said about there being no evidence of market failure. If that is the case, it is good news. There may not be market failure, but I sometimes see a gap between employers and companies that are clients of Enterprise Ireland and those who engage with the LEOs. Somewhere in the middle there is a space where companies are too large to work with a LEO but perhaps not big enough to work with Enterprise Ireland. They can sometimes fall into a void. Sometimes those companies say they would like to get into the export space a little further and expand their offerings for good reasons but perhaps struggle to do. Some additional supports may be of assistance to them.

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