Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank all the Senators for their contributions. I appreciate very much the very positive support the Bill has received in the Seanad.

We consulted widely across the area. Trade unions representing workers were anxious to discuss matters with us. We facilitated such discussion and it is good to see we have achieved a significant degree of consensus on the way forward in terms of the indigenous sector. Given the significant restructuring that has taken place within Enterprise Ireland, it is important to have a national remit and that the people and companies in the mid-west can benefit from this and from the enhancement of skills that will be on offer. For example, Enterprise Ireland has a strong capacity in terms of research and development technology supports for small enterprises. In the years to come it will be in a stronger position to deploy these advantages to the companies in the mid-west.

Likewise, the international agenda through sales and marketing has been highlighted in a variety of forums including the enterprise strategy group. It is important that companies in the mid-west have better access to the resources Enterprise Ireland has internationally in 34 locations across the globe. They can participate in the new divisions of Enterprise Ireland, be part of the productivity funding and have access to a variety of other advantages. There was significant access through Shannon Development, as well.

Shannon Development, as we know from the infrastructure within the mid-west, has achieved an enormous amount for the region in more than 40 years. Given the changing nature of industry, globalisation etc., the time was right, however, for moves towards innovation and research. The types of supports Enterprise Ireland has in house, especially in technology supports, research and development and in terms of international sales and marketing skills will have a full national remit and companies in the mid-west will have unrestricted and comprehensive access. Employment of companies in the mid-west will benefit as a result of this move.