John Whelan (Labour)

I support Senator Mary White's call for the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, to appear in the House at the earliest possible opportunity. Job creation is urgent. We and the Minister can talk all we like about it but, unless we protect existing jobs and businesses, we are wasting our time. It is much harder to create jobs than to protect and ring-fence those that exist.

I was the Senator who used the expression "sharp practice" yesterday. I did not do so lightly. I have nothing but the utmost respect for the integrity of Senator Quinn and his contribution to the business community. In no way did I mean to cast aspersions on him or his contribution to Superquinn, which I acknowledge he sold in 2005. However, I have a list of over 50 small family businesses and suppliers, whose names I will not put on record out of respect for the House and its protocols, that were issued with cheques dated 30 June but which only arrived on Friday. When the businesses tried to cash them on Monday, they learned the accounts were frozen. In any language, I would say they were hoodwinked and stitched up. The credit period of 90 days was used so they would not be paid. This was sharp practice. I call on the Minister to issue an instruction and intervene so the receiver will honour those cheques.