Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 6: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the links that exist between his Department and the local authorities and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government in educating small businesses on the planning process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8456/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of information in respect of the planning process is a matter for the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and local authorities. I understand that the Department provides documentation in respect of this issue, including the leaflet, "Planning for the Business Person".

Enterprise development agencies operating under the aegis of my Department provide general advice and assistance to small businesses over a range of issues affecting the start-up and expansion of business. The level and nature of the advice required differ from business to business depending on a business's stage of development, the particular business sector and the background and experience of the promoter involved. These development agencies do not have any formal role in advising on planning matters and would refer such businesses to the planning department of the relevant local authority for information on the most appropriate course of action to take.

Nevertheless, agencies such as Enterprise Ireland and the county enterprise boards have a strong working relationship with local authorities in ensuring that the proper business infrastructure is in place to nurture enterprises for their future development and growth. We will keep this issue under review.

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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While I thank the Minister for his answer, the question was meant to elicit a longer response, as it involved more than just the planning process, namely, working with local authorities. Our business sector needs more guidance and advice on how to engage with local authorities and similar standards should apply in the dealings with each authority, which I am sure the Minister would accept. It is his job to engage and help businesses in this respect because, unless one is a politician, understanding how local government works is a minefield. Businesses should not need to knock on councillors' or Deputies' doors to get help. While I accept this does not occur everywhere, the situation must be improved. Some councils' planning and economic officers work well, but not all of them do. We must level the playing field between councils. Red tape and delays scare business away. Contribution levies are bad enough without delays in the system. There is an obligation on both Ministers to put their heads together to try to fast-track this issue.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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This is the job of directors of enterprise, which are positions of employment in many local authorities. I am glad the Deputy raised this question, as it gives me an opportunity to make a few points. I am concerned that in some local authority areas, the issue of enterprise has fallen down the ladder. Family enterprises and so on that have been in rural locations for 30 years or so are jumping many hurdles when it comes to planning the expansion of existing facilities. We will not bring multinational companies to such rural locations. People are being told to go 20 miles down the road to an urban centre.

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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And pay big money.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Yes, to set up one's business again. Enterprise Ireland is giving grants to companies in terms of human resources, research and development and so on but, thanks to development levies, those grants are increasingly going from one State agency to the county manager. Through the Small Business Forum, we made strong representations to the then Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government that resulted in new guidelines being issued to local authorities. However, even the high level group on manufacturing, which will shortly engage with the social partners, is highlighting the issue of local authority development levies and their impact on business and manufacturing.

There was a time when local authorities hunted for business and jobs. They also sought meetings with me, which is still the case, but there is a mismatch between that aspiration and policy objective and the reality on the ground in terms of planning, development levies and the overall attitude to business, which is no longer as pro-enterprise as I, as Minister, would like it to be. This is particularly the case in rural Ireland, where we need to facilitate rather than penalise the traditional enterprises that have thrived for a long time. This is a concern I share with my Government colleagues and we set up an interdepartmental group to activate the work of the Enterprise Strategy Group report and the Small Business Forum to determine whether we can get a more collective opinion on competitiveness in enterprise.

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The Minister is in a better position to get something done about this matter. I hope we can knock heads in this regard and keep pushing it in the coming years. This significant and important issue for rural Ireland in particular and the greater Dublin area must be taken seriously. I accept that the Minister has done work in this area, but the issue must be pushed and certain Ministers should know more about it.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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I salute the Minister's efforts in respect of rural areas. Coming from one of those areas as I do, our future may be bound to facilitating small and cottage industries. County Westmeath is progressive in this regard, but could the Minister discuss this matter with local authorities?

That some local authorities are not facilitative and are not seeking opportunities are issues that have been raised at the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, of which I am Chairman. Through the strategy group, can the Minister ensure a broad formula is sent to local authorities setting out the objectives of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Enterprise Ireland? Any planning obstacles should be smoothed out and people should not make smokescreen objections to deter others from setting up in particular areas. Instead of facilitating the important employment opportunities provided by small companies, perhaps too much attention is being paid to minimalist objections.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I accept the broad thrust of Deputy Penrose's proposition, and that my Government colleagues and I have a collective responsibility in this regard that I must discharge. I take on board the Deputy's opinion that my Department should meet local authority managers. Traditionally, it was a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. On an individual basis, I meet local authority managers as I travel the country, but there may be a case to be made for a more formal approach. Equally, I would be prepared to work with the committee of which the Deputy is Chairman to focus on this issue and to develop an Oireachtas policy framework.

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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It is on our list.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Yes.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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It would put into context the Oireachtas' opinion in this regard, not just the Executive's.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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I would accept that.