Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on proposals that his Department should be split into two separate Departments, namely, a Department of labour affairs and a Department of enterprise and trade. [37913/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is structured in a way which recognises that enterprise and employment are not competing but, in fact, complementary factors. Calls for alternative configurations appear to stem from a flawed concept that places jobs and welfare at work in competition with enterprise. We have a different and more positive view — one that seeks to grow the quality and number of jobs by growing trade and enterprise. Only by growing our competitiveness, by increasing our trade performance and by expanding enterprise performance can we produce sustainable high quality jobs. Similarly, only by ensuring that we have a well trained and confident workforce, which enjoys the protection of our health and safety and employment rights legislation, can enterprise flourish.

Since 1993, when the Department was established in its current formation, we have seen jobs and real wages growing at unprecedented levels, we have introduced the national minimum wage and seen a significant improvement in the legislative framework protecting workers. The welfare of workers, especially those most exposed to low incomes, has been transformed during this period. However, this has also helped sustain, and be sustained by, a parallel and unprecedented improvement in trade and enterprise performance. Evidence, therefore, that our pro-enterprise and pro-jobs policies have made a real difference is incontrovertible.

While the factors supporting this transformation are manifold and social partnership clearly played its part, it is clear that the current configuration of my Department is right for Ireland and this was affirmed by Government following the previous general election.