In the Seanad, I said

I recall being on a hospital board in the 1970s when it was job creation time. We were asked how many new jobs we could create in the hospital and if we could take on more porters and so on to solve the employment problem. That is what got us into trouble because we tried to create jobs as against creating enterprises that succeed, as Senator Callely spoke about. That is how we create jobs. I welcome the Bill.

The withdrawal of Dell from the Limerick area was a devastating blow and we must create jobs to fill that void. One of the main ways to do this is to help entrepreneurs start new businesses in that area. It was interesting to see what happened in Galway following the collapse of Digital. Many talented individuals got involved in new technology start-ups, especially in the area of software, hardware and medical devices. I refer to two companies, the hardware firm Multis and the medical tech firm, Embricon. They can trace their origins to their management being laid off from Digital.

I mention those because they are the entrepreneurs who create businesses based perhaps on technology developed in universities. I refer to two small companies, one started in the university in Cork and the other in Trinity. One of them is IdentiGEN. The Minister will be aware of this interesting company that is involved in DNA traceability. It is now selling that product in America. I believe it has made a contract with Wal-Mart. It has also set up in Britain to sell it there as well. This is technology that is way ahead of anything else in the rest of the world.

When the Minister referred to skills strategy and what people can do, it is this area she was talking about. I was stunned to discover that we do not have enough science graduates or students entering mathematics and science programmes. We must encourage that if we are to develop in that area.

I have a problem with the number of bodies involved in development in the Shannon region. They include the county enterprise boards, IDA Ireland, Shannon Development, Enterprise Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta, local development agencies and local partners. I fully agree with the Minister’s proposal to try to amalgamate these bodies or bring them together in some form.

Some time ago, I spoke to a Minister who expressed concern that when a smaller quango, not one within the remit of the Tánaiste, wanted to make an appointment, a public relations agency made a telephone call to make the appointment on its behalf. The danger of having so many quangos is that they acquire many add-on roles. I accept the word “quango” is considered unacceptable.

Before I was elected to the Seanad, I was a member of a partnership whose aim was to create jobs. I recall attending my first meeting with a view to raising a number of ideas and concepts. I was jolted, however, when it became clear that most of the others in attendance wanted to send someone to Dublin to seek grants from the Government. This was the wrong approach. At the time, I encouraged others to take a different approach. One person started off on a small-scale producing jam, another started growing lettuce while another set up a window cleaning business. To the best of my knowledge, all these companies did well and were either sold off later or developed into larger businesses. We must attempt to create an environment in which entrepreneurship is encouraged as opposed to one in which assistance is sought from Government. The Minister’s words in this regard are welcome.

One of my daughters worked for a year in the Third World. She was a management consultant in a large American consultancy who took a year off to work in Santiago in Chile where she worked for a Belgian organisation that encourages people around the world to start businesses. She described how a group of ten or 12 people with little money sought assistance from this organisation. One person wanted a few seeds, while another wanted a spade and another wanted a few hens to develop an egg business. Small businesses were started with little seed capital and members of the group gathered every week to talk among themselves and engage in self-help. This is precisely the type of activity required in this country to encourage development. We must develop the competitiveness to which the Minister referred.

Apart from my role as a Senator, my only other job is that of chairman of EuroCommerce, a Brussels based organisation which represents 6 million shops employing 31 million people in Europe. I raise this issue because the retail and wholesale sector is not given the credit it deserves for the number of jobs, wealth and success it creates. National governments and European institutions often state it is manufacturing companies which create real wealth. We must recognise, however, that it is the jobs created in wholesale, retail and international trade which make the world go around.

The Minister has criticised the uncompetitive prices of many retailers south of the Border compared with north of the Border. Many of these companies are going out of business because they cannot survive. The objective, therefore, must be to face up to the manufacturers and suppliers, whether multinational or Irish.

I understand the Minister will be involved in an event organised by the Irish Association of Supported Employment, IASE, later today. This organisation works with people who have a disability or different ability, as we describe it. It will launch its website later today and some of its members wish to have their photograph taken in the House with the Minister.

Deputy Mary Coughlan: I was suppose to attend the event but I had to show respect for the House. I mean no disrespect by failing to attend.

I  took the Minister’s place and took a photograph but the IASE still wants to have a photograph taken with her later. I raise this issue because those involved are among those who are sometimes left behind when jobs are created. We must find a way to address this issue.

Another area on which we must concentrate is foreign direct investment. I am pleased to note the Minister is not losing sight of this issue. I know the chairman and chief executive of Coca Cola which recently announced it plans to open a plant in County Wexford. While the company has a choice of locations in which to do business, its chairman informed me that it chooses Ireland because everything being done here makes this country a more attractive location. The continuation of this type of investment is not guaranteed because Ireland is in fierce competition for investment with other countries. I do not have the figures to hand but I noted that the Financial Times last week published a list of the most open and attractive countries in which to locate for businesses. I understand Ireland was ranked in fourth place on the list.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin stated today that she intends to ask newspapers to publish only good news from now on. There is a danger we will talk ourselves into depression. Great opportunities are available. Some people succeed in bad times while others fail in good times. With the support of the Minister we can make this country work, as we did in 1987 through a series of initiatives, one of which was to identify the sunrise industries of the future. From 1987 through to the mid-1990s, the sunrise industries were pharmaceuticals, software and information technology. While I am not certain what the sunrise industries of today are, entrepreneurs will find them if we open the door for them.

I welcome the steps being taken by the Minister and the amalgamation of the organisations covered by the Bill. Firm commitment is needed and the Minister’s assistance is required to ensure Ireland is a competitive and attractive place in which to set up business.

For the full debate, please click here: http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate.aspx?F=SEN20090128.XML&Page=1&Ex=925#N925