David Andrews
Question:14 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will instruct the semi-State companies under his aegis to initiate special schemes to assist small business. [3807/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Assistance for Small Business.
While supporting measures which assist small business it would, given the competitive future facing the semi-state companies which operate under my aegis, be inappropriate for me to instruct them to initiate schemes which would, by definition, have to be subsidised by them or their customers.
The best contribution semi-State bodies can make, not only to small business but to the economy in general, is to produce quality services at the most competitive rates possible. Asking commercial State companies to take on a different role would be self-defeating and inevitably discriminatory.
I understand, however, that the pricing structures of the services provided by a number of the companies in question are designed to facilitate the establishment and development of small business undertakings.
As a former businessman, I am sure the Minister does not believe that answer. Yesterday a firm of accountants suggested that semi-State companies should pay their bills on time and the taskforce on small business unanimously proposed that they be asked to do so. It would not cost them anything. Will the Minister give such a direction to the State companies under his control? It would give life blood to many small businesses whose major complaint is that semi-State companies do not pay bills within the specified time.
That is a different question.I have no statutory responsibility for the provision of assistance to industry.Initiatives such as discount and incentive schemes and technical assistance programmes are matters for the individual agencies under my control. Such companies must adhere to European Directives on procurement of supplies, works and services. It should not be necessary for me to instruct State agencies to pay their bills on time. I would expect any State company operating proper accounting procedures to pay their customers on time as a matter of course. In reality there is an inbuilt penalty clause so it is self defeating not to pay bills on time. It is not cost effective for State agencies not to pay their bills on time.
I am talking about small companies. Is the Minister aware that the previous Government had a proposal to introduce legislation to ensure that the public service would pay its bills within the due date. I do not know if this Administration plans to continue with that legislation although some members of the Government have suggested it might. I do not accept that the Minister has no responsibility for small companies because they are the customers of State companies.
I am not saying I have no responsibility for small companies but I have no direct reponsibility for them. My colleague Deputy Doyle is responsible for the strategic management initiative and I will bring this matter to her attention. I am not aware that there is a serious problem in this regard with the agencies under my control but if this is the case I will refer it to Deputy Doyle and ask her to draw up guidelines and regulations and if necessary bring them to the attention of these agencies.
She cannot tell you what to do.
Has the Minister undertaken to list all the building surplus to requirements in State bodies under his aegis? Does he intend to ask those bodies to liaise with the local community in setting up local enterprises in such buildings, thereby helping them to avail of county enterprise grants and the Leader programme?
I do not know how this question is related to the one on the Order Paper——
Special schemes.
——but I am happy to answer the question. I have requested my Department to contact the State agencies to determine if they have assets surplus to requirement. To give an example, there are many disused railway lines and old buildings around the country; the rail lines could be an amenity for the community and a tourism attraction; old buildings could be used as museums. I will look favourably at the proposals of community groups that generate tourism, local wealth or employment.