Vol. 444 No. 6
41 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the number of new business opportunities that have been developed by companies in the semi-State sector in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I do not have control of or responsibility for semi-State companies as such. Consequently, it is not a matter for which I can or should require State companies to report to me on specifics. State enterprises avail of new opportunities as an on-going, day-to-day matter of doing business. Their respective sponsoring Ministers are not normally involved in their conduct of their day-to-day business including the opening up of new opportunities for expanding business.
I am, however, happy that the Programme for Competitiveness and Work reaffirms the role of State companies for the development of this economy. They can contribute to that role by being effective, efficient and competitive in their respective markets. They are encouraged in that programme to use “their entrepreneurial and business expertise to advantage in developing new business opportunities and new products and services, notably where there are obvious synergies with their existing strategic sectoral roles”.
