Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Griffin makes an excellent point. I know it is an issue of concern for small businesses particularly in the hospitality and retail sector across Ireland. I know we have a lot of hospitality in County Kerry. From my visits there with the Deputy, I know how important this issue is. He is right to highlight the broader issue of the cost base. I highlight this when I meet people in the hospitality sector. When I walk into restaurants and cafés, they seem very busy. To a layperson like me it looks like a business doing well. However, the owners pull me aside and say they are still struggling to make ends meet. The Government needs to do a broader review of the cost base for our small and medium businesses and the Minister, Deputy Peter Burke, wishes to lead that. I think there is more we can do on that. A lot has come on businesses all at once. There is a sense of feeling somewhat overwhelmed and that is having a real impact. As the Deputy said, we have taken a number of measures in the budget to try to help but we are determined to do more.

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