Mary White (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Although I have high regard for the Minister of State’s dedication to his portfolio, I am sorry I have to disagree with him on this. I was privileged to be a member of Bord Bia when I worked full-time with Connie Doody and all our staff in Lír Chocolates. Having the hands-on experience of a start-up food company without a pen or pencil when we started, I was able to contribute and suggest changes at Bord Bia’s board level. I could not have done that if I have not had first-hand experience. Going around talking to company people is no comparison. I agree with Senator Quinn that one does not know about being at the coalface of being an entrepreneur until one lies awake at night worrying if one will get the sales to pay the wages that week. The commission needs manufacturing people, those who grow their companies and create more jobs, not those appointed by the Civil Service commission or whatever it is.

I still have the highest regard for the Minister of State, however. I had a go at his colleague yesterday evening because he was looking at his laptop during the debate on the 1916 commemoration and the Moore Street area renewal Bill.