John Clendennen
Offaly · Fine Gael · Ireland
“I carried out a survey last year on foot of which 600 business owners highlighted the concerns they had around the future viability of their businesses. This has been built on by ISME, which found that 78% of respondents cited business costs as a big issue facing SMEs.”
“I have a number of asks. First, we need to look at the effectiveness of the local enterprise office, LEO, reporting to the local authority and Enterprise Ireland. There is a question there of effectiveness. I would also like to see the local authority leading out on enterprise parks to give opportunities for businesses.”
“I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this matter on the cumulative regulatory burden and the rising cost of doing business. It is certainly not an abstract issue. As someone born and raised in a family business, I am acutely aware of the challenges that many businesses face.”
“They are no different from newsagents or hardware stores where they are providing not just employment and economic activity but they are social anchors in our community as well. This scheme proposing a tax credit of €20 on every 50-litre keg of draft beer would be a huge tangible benefit to our local communities.”
“At that pace of increase in registration, we are going to see one of the strongest years ever in relation to company registrations. There is no doubt that Ireland is a great place to invest. We are seeing exceptional growth in artificial intelligence and digital technology, as well as pharmaceuticals and manufacturing.”
“It is Government recognition of the challenges and is very much welcomed, but we need to continue to address viability. When we look at some of the reports from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU, in recent weeks, in which it has stated that more businesses need to consider switching, we note that this comes down to a lack of…”
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“I wish the Ministers well in the term ahead. I echo the sentiments of Deputy Moynihan in relation to IDA land in Offaly. We have suffered redundancies at Nelipac and Cardinal Health and it is pertinent to see acquisition of land to attract further IDA company investment to the county. There were three visits in 2023 and five in 2024. We need now to secure land in order to secure investment. I invite the Minister to the county to discuss with our local authorities progressing this further.”
“I firmly believe the dedicated and committed teachers and staff, the students and their families deserve a fit-for-purpose and modern facility. I ask that it be prioritised, with two units put in place by the summer to cater for the ever-increasing number of students entering the school, a trend that will continue from September 2025.”
“As this is my first time taking to my feet in the Chamber, I want to start by acknowledging, and expressing my sincere gratitude to, the people of Offaly, who have entrusted me with the great honour of representing them in Dáil Éireann, and also my wife, son, family, friends and supporters, who have stood by me every step of the way. I thank them sincerely. The Department of Education has been working well to invest in the provision of additional accommodation and modular units to meet the growing demand in schools throughout Ireland, including Offaly, making a real impact where initiated. Today I wish to raise the urgent need for the provision of two such modular units at Charleville National School in Tullamore. I recently visited the school and noted at first hand the increased pressure because of overcrowding.”