Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 36: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her intention to appoint an advisory council of business leaders as outlined in her smart economy document; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40951/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I receive ongoing advice from my Department and the heads of the enterprise development agencies that report to my Department, as well as from business leaders and representative groups around the country. This has assisted in framing the Government's response to the current economic situation. I should also acknowledge the public spirited response from many individuals and groups who have written to me and other members of Government with their ideas and proposals.

The business sector is regularly invited to feed expert knowledge into the policy making system and to join with Departments and Government in evaluating and implementing enterprise policies. For example, the recent Global Irish Economic Forum held at Farmleigh captured the ideas and advice of key business leaders in the diaspora. I have received reports from the services strategy group and the high level group on manufacturing, both chaired by business leaders and recommendations contained in these reports are being advanced within the Framework for Economic Renewal. Furthermore, the R&D enterprise feedback group and the high level group on business regulation bring forward proposals and identify specific measures to support the enterprise sector and improve the regulatory environment on a regular basis.

More recently we have established the high level group on green enterprise and also the innovation task force to support the development of the smart economy. The considerable knowledge and expertise of the various members of these groups will contribute substantially to future enterprise policy.

Furthermore, I will shortly be re-convening the small business forum to gain its assessment and views on the impact of the current economic situation on the needs of the sector as it positions for recovery. In light of the range of advice available to me and the work of these groups, I have no proposals at this point to establish a business advisory council as outlined in the smart economy document.