John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

We must change how people view this matter. I was involved in business and I started out in difficult times when people were obliged to pay interest rates of 20%. When one approached one's bank manager in the 1980s, one was seen as a chancer. Now, because the scene has changed, one is viewed as an entrepreneur and one may sometimes be in a position to extract even more money from banks to support one's initiative. The Department needs to recognise and understand what is happening and to move very quickly.

I was somewhat disappointed with the debate relating to competitiveness in the economy that took place in the Dáil last week. While I accept there are issues of concern, the debate focused on failure within the SME sector and on the part of Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. Nothing could be further from the truth. The sector is extremely vibrant and dynamic and merely needs to be partnered by the Government, in an ongoing and real way through the adoption of policies and the provision of support.

Whatever we say in these Houses in respect of business, our words are analysed by newspapers and other media outlets across the globe. When I met representatives of Dell recently, one of the comments directed to me related to what is written about our economy. In contrast, there are 20 Irish companies operating in Moscow which are very comfortable with and confident about doing business in a foreign market. As already stated, Members would be surprised about the way in which these companies win contracts. They win them not only in their own interests but also in the context of representing Ireland Inc. They need to be supported in this regard. As public representatives, we must support them. None of this takes away from the Opposition the opportunity to inform us where we are going wrong.

I would be the first to acknowledge that mistakes were made. I also acknowledge that mistakes were made in my business. I was big enough to correct those mistakes, however, and proceed to do business again. That is how we must operate. We need to focus on the can-do attitude prevalent among young Irish entrepreneurs. We must continue to encourage them.

I have outlined the facts, figures and statistics and it is clear the Government recognises the great importance of SMEs to the economy. It will continue to do all in its power to aid the creation of new companies and support the efforts of existing interests to continue to grow and succeed. We must also give careful consideration, however, to the foundations upon which we are relying in building a knowledge economy, two words which, incidentally, sit uneasily together. The importance of our education system and standards to that foundation, and to our ambitions, cannot be overstated.

Ireland is a well-educated nation by international standards. However, that is not enough. If we are to offer graduates to the world, they must be the products of an education system which, at all levels, is world class, producing at the top end degrees and doctorates that are internationally recognised as hallmarks of academic excellence.

I sometimes think that in today's politically correct world, exceptionality is being discriminated against. We must encourage our brightest and provide them with the support they need to develop their full potential. We need to recognise and reward them, thereby creating role models for others to emulate. There surely must be ways of bringing on the weak and encouraging the average and good without retarding the progress of the exceptional. If we do not find those ways, the certain outcome will be mediocrity.

There is also a danger that education could become a commercial product. I watch the jargon and buzzwords of commerce slipping past the portals of academia and I wonder where all this will lead. We do not want degrees delivered on a conveyor belt, replacing quality with quantity. Neither should education be about speed or commerce. It should be about the creation of a rounded, civilised individual who will make a positive contribution to the world as well as to his or her work.

While understanding the need for it, I am concerned about specialisation. As stated in the Dáil recently and reiterated earlier in this House, I would like to see us produce more rounded graduates than currently seems to be the case. I would like to see Pythagoras and Picasso — the right angle and the curve — having at least a conversation at the crossroads that benefits both before they go their separate ways. How can that be achieved without undermining concentration on the desired degree? I do not know but such a development would be good for graduates and for society. For the same reason, I would like civics or, better still, philosophy taught at all levels in our schools. We must give time to the spiritual well-being of the individual as well as the economic well-being of the nation. If we do not, both will ultimately suffer.

In considering what I was going to say about education, it occurred to me that I have not heard any strong voices emanating from within academia nor have I heard those involved in the sector promoting any grand vision. Have these voices been drowned out by the roar of the Celtic tiger? We need to hear from our academics because they also have a duty to speak out and make a contribution.

Competition is a fact of life but it far from being life. It is no harm to remind ourselves of that. As a small, open economy, Ireland must fight for its share in an aggressive global marketplace. We should not lose sight of our values, however, or the fact that by concentrating absolutely on quality, especially in education, we might be able to serve very profitably both the market and society. There are down-sides to competitiveness. For example, standards can slip, social responsibilities can be ignored and those who cannot or will not join the race can suffer. We could end up being a nation that knows the price of everything and the worth of nothing, confused and aimless with the vain and vacuous strutting their stuff. Success comes at a price. Sometimes that price is too high. It is the responsibility of politicians, teachers and academics to set the standard and ensure we do not pay too much.

I thank the Cathaoirleach for affording me the opportunity to make my maiden contribution in the House. I look forward with interest to the contributions of Members.