Feargal Quinn (Independent)

We live in a very competitive world. If we are to solve the serious problems facing this country, we will have to take action in those areas in which we are insufficiently competitive. Figures published in recent days by the World Bank show we are the tenth best country in which to do business. We may well feel proud of that, but the reality is that there are nine countries ahead of us. There are several areas in which we can take action to improve our competitiveness. For example, in this country it takes 13 days for start-up businesses to get up and running. In Singapore, which tops the list, it can be done in three days. When I visited Panama some years ago I was told that the objective was to make it possible to start a new business there in seven hours. While it has not achieved that target, on the basis of the World Bank figures, that is the type of target we should be setting ourselves.

I am impressed by the areas in which we have done quite well, including ease of paying taxes, resolving disputes and efficient regulation, the latter being rather unexpected. We are also working hard in regard to construction permits. On the other hand, we are only 62nd in terms of enforcing contracts, 81st in registering property and 90th when it comes to securing electricity supply to businesses. These are areas in which we can easily effect improvements. We must ensure that anyone who is considering opening a business will see Ireland as a place that is working hard to make itself an attractive prospect. I welcome the great news that Sky is to open a new call centre in Dublin with the creation of 800 jobs. This is a good example of what we can work towards. In this regard, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, is working hard on ensuring we are the type of country that does not have in place regulations that serve no purpose. Let us ensure we continue in that direction.

In my experience as a Member of this House, our State organisations do not appear to have the same understanding of the importance of time and speed as does the business world.