Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

We gave ammunition to those who wish to abolish the Seanad and I hope we can be much more productive in the future in this House.

I welcome the infrastructure projects announced this morning by the Government. These will bring much needed employment to the country. I particularly welcome the funding for the N17-N18 Gort to Tuam road, which is 57 km of motorway that will bypass Clarenbridge, Claregalway and Tuam. Obviously, this is vital infrastructure. Another piece of the jigsaw which has yet to be completed and which will make Galway probably the most desirable place in the country in which to do business is the completion of the Galway city outer bypass. At present, legal proceedings are ongoing which have yet to be resolved, but there is a commitment in the announcement this morning that when those legal proceedings are concluded the Galway city outer bypass project will be completed.

While exports were up 7% in May this year in comparison with May last year, I share the concern expressed by Senator Sheahan for the small and medium enterprises in this country that are really struggling. There has been much debate in the Seanad on job creation but I ask the Leader to set aside time next September for a debate on small and medium-sized businesses, in which we can explore the problems facing them. Many of us have concerns about the possibility of small businesses having to carry the cost of sick pay schemes. That issue requires a great deal of debate and I urge the Leader to put it at the top of the priority list for discussion in September. We are beginning to turn the corner with regard to employment but we need to give assistance and a boost to the small businesses of this country that are currently on their knees.