Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I wish to ask about the superstores. Over the past ten years Ireland has changed in terms of shopping patterns. The Government has done nothing to protect small businesses. Ten years ago there were 259 small businesses, comprising small shops and stores, in my county yet today there are only 59. If rates, insurance and other costs continue to rise, small businesses will not be able to compete. Will the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment come into the House to outline the issues she intends to address to save small businesses? The high street in England is finished and if we do not protect small businesses with incentives and against costs, the main streets and the small businesses, the people we represent, will be finished.