Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I, too, thank the Minister. He is always welcome in this House and I wish him well. His Department is crucial to the development process, as are the agencies. We are concerned that the rate of job creation seems to have moderated in the last quarter, but we hope that it is just a blip. Although the Minister is unceasing in his labours to make Ireland more competitive and to promote development, we are concerned that that does not go for the whole of Government. A 55% increase in energy costs through the public service obligation was proposed by the Commission for Energy Regulation last Friday. That report has not received much attention. That would obviously be bad news for the Minister in his sterling efforts to promote industry.

We were just discussing with Minister, Deputy Varadkar, how one should configure airports. What the Minister has done with Shannon is important, but can the same thing be done in Cork? Competitive energy and competitive airports are needed in the Minister's unstinting efforts to promote development and employment. In that, the Minister has our support, including for this reform.