John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

Issues raised last week will be taken on board. My officials intend to reply to every Senator on the issues of concern. The report has an impact on the job strategy, which the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, will launch in the coming weeks. Many issues that were raised last week will emerge once again in the important three-hour debate here this afternoon. This is a work in progress and I welcome the Leader coming to the special advisory group with ideas from Senators. I can arrange for Senator Cummins to speak to the advisory group on issues debated this afternoon and on some of the points made today and last week. We do not have all the answers and the report is the benchmark of where we are starting from. The five actions in the report have been acted upon. The theme of the debate last week was access to credit, procurement and the regulatory burden on companies. This is a question of recognition, understanding, concern and respect for that critical part of the economy. All Members of the Oireachtas must be conscious of the importance of small business. I value the input from Senators last week. The views of Senators will go to the advisory group and the ideas that emerge this afternoon will be acted upon, hopefully in a way that will benefit all of us. If I did not refer to an area specifically, it is because it would take too long and go beyond the time allowed.