Sharon Keogan (Independent)

I rise today in support of the motion and in defence of our small and medium-sized enterprises, which are the lifeblood of our communities. The SME test, as outlined in the programme for Government, is a tool meant to protect these businesses from the unintended consequences of legislation. Tools are only as good as the hands that wield them, however. Right now, I fear we are not wielding this one with the care and precision it demands. Let us be honest; SMEs are not just economic units. They are family-run shops, local trades, start-ups with dreams and cornerstone employers in towns and villages throughout Ireland. They are the people who support the local GAA teams, who know their customers by name and who stay open late because someone needs help. They are the heartbeat of Irish society. Yet, when we legislate, we often forget them. We forget that they do not have compliance departments or legal advisers. We forget that every new form, regulation and requirement is time away from serving customers, growing their businesses and creating jobs.A 2018 study showed that regulatory compliance disproportionately affected smaller firms. That is not just a statistic; it is a warning we must heed. When we overburden SMEs, we put at risk not just their survival but the resilience of our entire economy. The problem is not just the regulations themselves but the process. SMEs are often excluded from the conversation and consultations are dominated by large corporations with lobbying power and legal teams. Meanwhile, the butcher in Ballinasloe or the florist in Finglas is left out in the cold. I spoke earlier today, during the Order of Business, using the example of the national economic dialogue, where only a small number of organisations represent our private sector and of those, it is disproportionately larger corporations that are represented.

Let me use another, more in-depth example. Chambers Ireland represents a network of more than 40 chambers of commerce across the nation, which, in turn, represent more than 8,000 businesses. However, the Central Statistics Office, CSO, has estimated that as of 2022, there were up to 390,000 enterprises in the country. This strongly indicates that well under 1% of enterprises are represented by chambers of commerce. Of those represented in their local chamber, there will frequently be a disproportionate number of the bigger, wealthier and well-established businesses. While not necessarily a bad thing, this means they are hardly likely to rock the boat, either. That is why Senator Aubrey McCarthy and I proposed this amendment, to ensure that the SME test is not just applied but applied with the full scrutiny and insight of the Seanad. This House, with its diverse backgrounds and expertise, is uniquely positioned to champion the voice of the small business owner.

We must also address the uncertainty that new regulations bring. When business owners do not know what is coming, they hesitate, delay hiring and postpone investment. That hesitation stifles innovation, growth and opportunity. We need clarity, consistency and confidence. We need to ensure that regulations are scalable, that they reflect the realities of the different sectors and that they come with clear guidance and support. The one-size-fits-all approach must end. A policy that works for a multinational tech firm will not work for a rural mechanic. We must tailor our regulations for the diverse tapestry of Irish enterprise. The recent directive from the Minister, Deputy Peter Burke, to 19 agencies to reduce red tape is a step in the right direction, but we must go further. We must embed the SME test into every stage of the legislative process, not as an afterthought but as a core principle. We must empower the Seanad to play its full role in this. When we involve this House, we bring in the voices of entrepreneurs, educators, community leaders and advocates. We bring in the lived experience of those who know what it means to run a business in Ireland today, and I do too, as do many of our colleagues around this Chamber.

This is not just about economics. It is about fairness and respect and about ensuring that the people who take risks, create jobs and build communities are not punished by the very system that should support them. There is no mention in this motion of social enterprises, which employ about 83,000 people in this country. They are a very important part of our enterprise sector. Our colleague from Sinn Féin spoke earlier about investment in research and development. Many companies are well established. I call them "grantepreneurs". Many companies in this country are very good at getting grants. I call those companies "grantepreneurs" because they have been getting grants for years and then they hit a stumbling block and do not know how to get over it. Grants are given to create growth and that is what they should be used for. Those at the bottom cannot get those grants and very often, the ones at the top cream off those grants and there is no help for the lads at the bottom to get them. Many grantepreneurs in this country using that system to levy their businesses and we should be looking after smaller businesses at this time.

Let us not allow the SME test to become another well-meaning policy that gathers dust. Let us make it a living, breathing commitment to our small businesses. Let us legislate with empathy, insight and courage and give SMEs the voice and the future they deserve.