Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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9. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps she will take to ensure continued economic investment in jobs, enterprise and innovation here notwithstanding the impact of Brexit; the extent to which new opportunities are being fostered in this context; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49610/17]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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My question relates to the extent to which we in Ireland continue to provide for Brexit in terms of competition for industrial investment, both indigenous and foreign direct investment

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Durkan for his key question. It goes to the heart of the situation that the State faces on Brexit; how exactly can we ensure that the economic recovery continues. I have recently published a document form my Department about that very topic. It is about helping firms to innovate, to do research and to make sure they are prepared for Brexit. Earlier today I outlined to the House the range of issues that will make difference in our firms' survival. Access to finance is going to be absolutely critical and I have outlined a detailed approach, including the contacts with the European Commission we are taking in that respect.

We have to ensure that jobs continue to be created. There is no question that we have had a very successful action plan for jobs. It is one of the key instruments to continue to support job creation. The action plan for jobs process is working. Since the plan was launched in early 2012, there are over 225,000 more people at work bringing total employment in the State to more than 2 million in the first half of the year. Unemployment has fallen significantly with 18,000 new jobs created in the first six months of 2017 and in the same period employment grew faster in the regions - this is often not noted - at 2.8% more than in Dublin at 1.5%, with four out of five jobs created in the regions.

The preparation of the action plan for jobs 2018 has started. I held a forum in Farmleigh with all the key sectors to discuss what they felt the Government should prioritise for next year. It was decided that we should focus on a smaller number of actions, but that they should be very key actions with regard to the Brexit challenge and where the economy is at this point.

We will focus on more strategic actions to ensure a significant impact on sustainable jobs creation. There are challenges out there and every action needs to be taken to continue the economic recovery.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Tánaiste for her reply. Will the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation confirm that is recognised that we must lift the bar now to its highest level ever? The competition is greater, the threats are many and added to by Brexit and the competition from outside and within the European Union. Competition is also affected by the added difficulties that have occurred around obtaining planning permission given that it is just as easy to give a quick and positive response as it is to give a slow and negative response. Is it fully recognised that these challenges now presented to us are greater than Ireland has ever experienced before? Is it recognised that we have the will and the ways to deal with the issues?

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is right. A really sustained cross-government approach is necessary to continue the economic recovery. We cannot take it for granted. We must continue to focus on all the right areas, particularly on the competition aspect, as I spoke of earlier. We must ensure that businesses who may need temporary financial support have it. This is extremely important. I will work with colleagues to make sure that the new action plan for jobs focuses on the right areas, as informed by business, so we can continue to build that strong economy. If we want the economic recovery to continue it is important that the Government continues to support enterprises, businesses and to put money into research and development. I recently made an announcement, with the Taoiseach, of funding for research centres. In the budget the Deputy will have seen that the Future Dairy project - in the agriculture sector - received extra funding to make sure that the dairy industry stays at the cutting edge of innovation. On a recent trade mission I could see that in the UAE and Oman there is huge concern about food security. Ireland certainly should be in a position to provide to some of those markets.

That kind of research is what will keep our economy operating very well.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Can I assume from the Minister's reply with respect to the review that is taking place, that it is intended to pursue every avenue in every part of the country in regard to every industry in terms of the availability of investment locations, sites, services and procedures to be followed to encourage both indigenous and foreign direct investment in a way which we have not experienced heretofore, notwithstanding the good work that has already been done?

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that this whole area remains an absolute priority for the Government. The Action Plan for Jobs will be one of the key vehicles but it is only one. It is also about ensuring regional development. The Deputy would have seen in recent times that indigenous local companies are growing. A huge number of new companies are registering with the Companies Office every month, so there is huge activity and innovation, and people who are willing to take risks to set up companies. There is also continued foreign direct investment. If we consider the job announcements even in the past two or three weeks, we have had Regeneron in Limerick, which shows huge confidence in Limerick, a recent announcement in Waterford, two recent announcements in Drogheda and a company opened its centre in Galway recently. Those are just four examples. I see no reason that this level of regional investment should not continue. There is every indication it will continue but we cannot be complacent. There are very serious challenges facing us, with Brexit probably being the most serious one. All the indications are that Brexit will be very challenging for the vast majority of Irish businesses.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Before I move on to Question No. 10 in Deputy Niall Collins's name, I want to say that I am very disappointed with the slow progress we are making. I take some responsibility for that but I ask Ministers and Deputies to take some responsibility for it also. The purpose of the clock opposite us is to be mindful of the time. It is not right that we will get through only ten or 11 questions today. It is unfair to those Members who have questions tabled. Deputy Niall Collins might set the scene for how we should proceed.