Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I support Senator John Crown in asking that the Government not reduce the cancer drug project, even by one cent, while a single cent is being spent on public relations officers in any aspect of the health service. A former Minister for Health told me she could not believe that every time one of the health quangos wanted to meet her the appointment was made by a public relations officer paid by the quango. There were, apparently, dozens of them throughout the country. I, therefore, support Senator John Crown's call entirely. Public relations officers and lobbyists are being use when we should have direct access to a Minister or a Department.

The Minister for Social Protection addressed the Seanad recently about her plans to have the first four weeks of sickness benefit paid for by the employer rather than by the State. One of the proposals made in the Seanad connects with what Senator David Cullinane said. It was that the measure should not apply to small companies employing fewer than ten people. That proposal makes a great deal of sense. We want to create jobs, establish start-up companies and help people who have a concept and want to start a business. Such persons should not be bound by the regulations and red tape appling to big businesses. These regulations are a huge deterrent to someone who wants to start a business, employ people and get off the ground. Today the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills in the United Kingdom, Dr. Vince Cable, will launch a report which recommends that businesses employing fewer than ten people not be subject to the same regulations that apply to bigger businesses. That is something from which we could learn. It is certainly something to which we should give serious thought. If we are to establish businesses, they will come from that area.

Senator John Crown is reminding me to say charities and not-for-profit agencies should be exempt from the proposed ban on the use of public relations officers.

We could learn a huge amount from the optimism of those who set up small businesses. That is from where future growth and employment will come. While we should continue to seek foreign direct investment, success in the future will come from people who say, "I would like to set up a business myself." If the regulations applying to big businesses are applied to small ones, it is highly unlikely they will get off the ground.