Hildegarde Naughton (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also welcome the positive outcome of the marriage equality referendum and rather than thanking members of my own party and others who campaigned so positively for it, I wholeheartedly commend the members of civil society groups who convinced the citizens to come out in a such a resounding fashion.

I would like to raise the issue of startups. Last Thursday, in Galway, I attended a meeting where representatives of multinational companies, large corporates, local authorities, universities and institutes of technology were present to discuss the Startup Gathering, which will run throughout Ireland between 5 October and 10 October. In excess of 50 events will take place that week in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and other urban centres. The aim of the event is to be one of the largest regional startup events in the world. The Startup Gathering is part of the Action Plan for Jobs 2015 and it is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.I encourage colleagues from all parties and Independent Senators to get involved with the Startup Gathering taking place in their localities. This initiative is the brainchild of Eoin Costello, who is a very impressive individual. What he is doing is fundamental in the context of getting people back to work and in terms of supporting SMEs and other businesses in their efforts to get up and running. If we are contemplating a recovery, these people will continue to form the backbone of our economy.