Susan O'Keeffe (Labour)

I welcome the InterTradeIreland seedcorn competition which is run every year by InterTradeIreland, the all-island organisation that supports innovative companies to come forward, particularly young people coming out of universities or companies that have an international look to their business. They look for competitors across the provinces who initially participate in regional finals and then in the all-Ireland finals. They have been excellent at attracting interesting and exciting projects in recent years. They work closely with young companies and give them great support.

On foot of the session we had here some months ago when we came together to discuss ideas, and we spoke about having such a session again, I ask the Deputy Leader if we could organise another such session and invite somebody from InterTradeIreland to attend because it has experience in talking to young entrepreneurs in particular across a wide range of areas, particularly in the areas of medical devices, food and so on. It would be useful if they came into the House to add to our discussions. It is worth acknowledging the work they do in encouraging us to encourage people with small companies we may have come across to participate because there is €280,000 available from the seedcorn package they offer. It is given out in tranches to the various winners, some of whom I have met. I commend that to the House.