Pádraig Ó Céidigh (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Tá brón orm. Tá fadhb mhór ann leis na scileanna bainistíochta. I actually think in Irish and speak in English. Gabh mo leithscéal faoi sin. A big problem with that is that the larger companies - the multinationals - are scooping up all of those people. Our unemployment rate is now 5.8% and it continues to go down. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult for SMEs to attract staff.

One of the major issues facing SMEs is legislation passed in both Houses of the Oireachtas that has unintended consequences for them. Those consequences can be severe. Is it possible that the cause and effect of the unintended business consequences faced by SMEs be considered in the context of all legislation, perhaps on Committee Stage? Sometimes we pass legislation which concerns multinationals but which affects all the SMEs and causes significant issues for them.

I fully endorse what the Minister of State is doing and I fully support the Government in its efforts. It is making a great effort and it is really appreciated. We have to keep it going, and make Ireland the best little country in the world for SMEs.