Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 3

Written Answers. - Enterprise Ireland.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

28 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on whether the criticism by exporters of the absorption of the Irish Trade Board into Enterprise Ireland is unfounded in the new plans for support of our exporters. [12101/98]

John Gormley

Question:

44 Mr. Gormley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress, if any, of the new State agency being formed from an amalgamation of Forbairt, FÁS and the Irish Trade Board. [12123/98]

Willie Penrose

Question:

49 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the excellent scientific and research facilities of Forbairt will be fully retained in the final organisation of Enterprise Ireland. [12114/98]

John Perry

Question:

83 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she will bring forward the legislation for the creation of the new State agency Enterprise Ireland; the role of the agency with regard to small business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12042/98]

Michael Ferris

Question:

95 Mr. Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposals, if any, for the integration of Forbairt into Enterprise Ireland. [12115/98]

Seán Ryan

Question:

99 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she will introduce legislation establishing Enterprise Ireland; and the way in which the former Forbairt and Irish Trade Board will reform their functions in the new organisation. [12113/98]

Nora Owen

Question:

121 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will ensure that, in the new legislation amalgamating Forbairt, ABT and FÁS, there will be representation of the unemployed on the new board in view of the fact that this proposal would be in complete compliance with her statements that the unemployed cannot be left outside the door; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12084/98]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Miss Harney)

I propose to take Question Nos. 28, 44, 49, 83, 95, 99 and 121 together.

I draw the Deputies' attention to my reply to the question from Deputy Broughan in which I outlined the overall strategic approach to be pursued by Enterprise Ireland.

I should stress again that Enterprise Ireland will be a new organisation with a new mission and culture and not a simple amalgamation of its component parts. I have already outlined the implications of this approach for the schemes and operations of Forbairt, An Bord Tráchtála and FÁS in my reply to Deputy Broughan's question. I am anxious that the agency should commence operations as soon as possible and I therefore propose to introduce the necessary enabling legislation during the month of June.

As regards Forbairt's scientific and research facilities, my overriding concern is to ensure that Enterprise Ireland is in a position to play a strong development role in research and development. Enterprise Ireland will draw on both the existing resources within Forbairt itself and linkages with the third level colleges to achieve this.

In a similar vein, Enterprise Ireland will have strong function in regard to exports, and growth in sales and exports among client firms will be a central performance criterion for the new agency. Enterprise Ireland will continue to provide market information and other relevant services on a demand-led basis to firms which need and are prepared to avail of them.

My objective is to ensure that the board of the new agency will provide the strategic direction required to ensure that the agency fulfills its mission of assisting client firms to develop a sustainable competitive advantage and thus expand profitable sales, boost exports and excrease employment. I am currently considering the composition of the board in that regard.

The agency's role in relation to small business will align with its overall mission, that is, the agency will assist firms to become more competitive and ensure that small businesses become bigger businesses. Enterprise Ireland will avoid unnecessary duplication and overlaps with the county enterprise boards and other agencies in dealing with very small companies by focusing on those start-up and small companies which have high growth potential.