Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

-----we will engage with the county councils. The Minister engages with all county councils in this respect. We will engage with Fingal County Council, which the Deputy mentioned, and have done so. The previous Minister did as well, with a lot of good developments.

There is a memo coming to the Government, as I said to Deputy Geoghegan on the last occasion - I think he raised it last week - which has not arrived yet. However, as soon as it does, we will bring it to the Government and publish it. The NDP is being worked on by the Minister for public expenditure with all the various Departments.

Deputy Shane Brennan raised the retaliatory list. We are in constant engagement with the European Commission in respect of the trade tariffs. If there is a tariff war, there will not be any winners. Our focus is that we hope a negotiated resolution and pathway can be achieved between the European Union and the United States. Aircraft leasing is a significant sector in Ireland. The European Commission is well acquainted with it. Not just now but on previous occasions, such as during the initial outbreak of the war in Ukraine and so forth, Ireland has been supportive of the aircraft leasing sector and the EU has been facilitative and understanding of it.

I could not agree more with Deputy Dolan on venture capital. It is a good start to the year. It is perhaps something we have to engage on through various committees of the Dáil. The European Union is now looking at trying to accelerate a saving and investments union. Some member states that are strong in financial services, such as Ireland, have some concerns about centralised authority. I have indicated our commitment to progressing that within the EU because it would release more capital in the EU for venture capital, SMEs and high-potential start-up companies that Enterprise Ireland helps to nurture and develop.

Deputy Moynihan referred to indigenous enterprises and their representation on LEEF. IBEC is represented on LEEF. IBEC would claim that it represents small enterprises within IBEC's remit, but others would differ. No doubt those who differ are talking to the Deputy. Suffice to say, the voice of small businesses should be and has been heard.

Deputy Bacik raised the issue of sick pay and so on. The previous Government dramatically changed the dial in respect of sick days, giving a statutory protection and bringing it to three days. We have delayed going to five and seven days because of the cost involved for the retail and hospitality sectors. That was well documented during the election and all parties accepted that it was an issue. It is a matter trying to get the balance right when it comes to advancing rights. We have done a good deal in that regard, and there will be continued increases in the minimum wage. The convergence of the minimum wage towards a living wage has also been deferred, and the Minister announced that.

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