Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

I have no doubt that during the course of the debate we will have during the coming weeks, the people will be very much focused on economic recovery, job creation and how we can get our country out of the mess it is in right now. In that vein I welcome the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, opening the Enterprise Ireland high potential start-ups showcase yesterday, which featured 92 brand new companies which will employ 1,600 people by 2013 and generate in excess of €200 million in annual sales. This is on top of the Government announcement that €500 million is to be spent on research aimed at turning good ideas into jobs. I very much welcome that 18 trade delegations will take place in 2012, with many going to Brazil, Russia, India and China. Three visits to China alone are planned for this year.

In some further good news on the jobs front, I see in this morning's newspaper that the Lynch farm in Clarecastle, County Clare, lit up Chinese eyes, with a focus on agricultural production and how we can increase the very significant exports we already have to China in baby food and milk products. There are some positive issues on the horizon.