Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, I acknowledge the important contribution that locally available goods and services make to employment and to Ireland's economy. Many of the policies set out in the National Recovery Plan aimed at restoring national competitiveness will impact positively on businesses operating in the non-export sector of the economy. These businesses will benefit from reduced costs which the Government aims to achieve in the areas of energy, waste, professional services and public administration. The reduction in the minimum wage and the review of Registered Employment Agreements and Employment Regulation Orders will also lead to reduced costs of doing business throughout all sectors of the economy.

Despite the economic downturn, the Government is continuing to invest heavily in Capital infrastructure. The National Recovery Plan is clear that future Capital investment must be targeted and employment-focused. The Government's investment in water services and the installation of domestic water meters is one example of where employment and growth opportunities will be created for many domestic companies.

Among the other measures proposed in the National Recovery Plan to assist the local construction sector is the support of jobs through energy efficient activities such as the National Retrofit Programme. The aim of this programme is to stimulate investment in the energy efficiency market, creating in excess of 5,000 jobs in the energy and construction sectors. In his Budget speech on 7 December 2010, the Minister for Finance also announced his intention to introduce a new tax incentive in the area of energy efficiency in homes, which will further support jobs in this sector.

Access to credit is, of course, important for all businesses. In this context, I have ongoing contact with the main banks in relation to their lending to businesses. Together with my colleague the Minister for Finance, and Mr. John Trethowan of the Credit Review Office, I will continue to ensure that the banks meet their lending commitments under the 2010 Recapitalisation package in terms of providing sufficient credit to the business sector. Mr. Trethowan recently indicated that the situation was much more positive for bank customers than it was six to nine months ago.

I believe that the additional measures as set out in the National Recovery Plan, together with better access to bank credit, will greatly enhance the development and long-term viability of the domestic sector of the economy and contribute to our national recovery.