Pádraig Ó Céidigh (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Tá mise ag iarraidh labhairt ar feadh cúpla nóiméad mar gheall ar chúrsaí fiontraíochta, entrepreneurship.

I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to come in here to discuss two main topics. The first is that of small businesses. There are more than 200,000 SMEs in Ireland and they represent 99% of all businesses here. They employ approximately 74% of the private sector, which is a very significant body. There is significant support available in the form of advice and mentoring if one is an exporter, but support is not all about finance. Exports constitute an important sector for us, but a small one. The vast majority of small and medium-sized businesses do not export. I want the Minister to have an opportunity to speak to us and outline his vision and strategy for small businesses that do not export.

There is a second matter. I am not sure whether we can invite someone to the House, as I am new here. Can we invite Mr. Máirtín Ó Muilleoir. the new Minister for Finance in Northern Ireland, to address the House? He is an entrepreneur who has created businesses and is very much involved in the community. From my perspective and knowledge of enterprise and entrepreneurship in Ireland, I know that the relationship between entrepreneurs in the North and South is hugely important. A fair amount of business takes place between entrepreneurs on both sides of this island of ours. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Finance in Northern Ireland to come here to inform Senators about strategies for entrepreneurs in the North. As it happens, I will meet him next Wednesday morning to discuss this sector and I believe the meeting will prove helpful. It would be a big step forward if this House could invite such people to address us, particularly when we have a very strong common interest.