Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will endeavour to have the Minister for Justice and Equality come here at a later stage.

Senator Ó Murchú again raised the matter of small businesses being the backbone of rural society and the need to reduce red tape for them. The matter can be raised during our debate with the relevant Minister.

Senator Conway welcomed the announcements made in the past two days about the creation of 700 jobs in Limerick and Galway. I hope job announcements will continue for the remainder of the year. I also hope jobs will be created in the largest unemployment black spot of Waterford and the south east which has a 20% unemployment rate.

Senator Mooney also raised the issue of long-term unemployment. He inquired about the need for a venture capital bank and its status. I noted his comments and the Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy John Perry, will be here in the next couple of weeks.