Peter Burke
Longford-Westmeath · Fine Gael · Ireland
“I thank Deputy Ó Broin for raising this important matter. I cannot imagine the trauma many families are going through right now as a result of the conclusion of An Coimisiún Pleanála on this file. This was a dark time in our past.”
“I thank Deputy Nash for his question on this very important issue. I will say clearly and unambiguously that I share his concerns in relation to ensuring that no product produced in Ireland ends up in the Russian military complex. We are very firm in that belief.”
“I have heard suggestions in some outlets that the Irish Government was in that company's corner at key European forums. That is not true. The European Commission has brought forward 20 sanctions packages and Ireland has supported them all 100%. It is very important to put that on the record.”
“I thank Deputy Wall for his very important intervention. I heard part of the interview this morning, which was exceptional and very courageous, showing leadership in an area which affects so many people in our society. I know the Minister for Health is supportive of the Deputy's initiative and remains so.”
“We have enacted the Family Courts Bill, establishing a dedicated family court to look at very sensitive items for victims. We have introduced an offence for non-fatal strangulation, reflecting the seriousness of the abuse and the stress and harm it causes.”
“I thank Deputy Murphy for being proactive and bringing forward a solution to try to operationalise a group of the Oireachtas and showing leadership to do that for Tipperary. I will absolutely bring that to the attention of the Minister for justice, particularly considering the cross-party aspect.”
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“I thank the Deputy for this very important question. It relates to a matter which is very close to my heart due to the fact that there is a depot in Mullingar. I very much understand the business model and the pressures that employees and their families face as a result of what happened. Receivership is a long-standing legal mechanism for the enforcement of a security. Usually in Ireland, a receiver is an individual appointed by a lender, such as a bank, to take control of company assets that were used as security for a loan. In general, a receiver’s primary function is to secure the assets of the company, which have been mortgaged or charged in favour of the security holder who appointed him or her, and realise those assets in order that the secured creditor’s debt is repaid as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
“We know from our SMEs and businesses the pressure they are under and we need to ensure we have proportionate legislation and that, as an economy, we incentivise innovative approaches and ensure we are protecting citizens. In no way am I talking about watering down the regulatory requirements of key processes in our State, which are so important. This is about doing things quicker. We saw from the Draghi and Letta reports the work we have to do in a European context. Now is the time to get on with the job.”
“This is about simplification. One of the key issues is the need to support our SMEs to ensure the burden placed on them is not inappropriate. With regard to each of the issues mentioned, a risk-based approach will continue, which is important. Stakeholder involvement will be core to the directive, which is also very important. With regard to harmonised civil liability, obviously national governments will be able to make a determination on this, which is also very important. With regard to our climate policies, it is key that we look at implementation and this is what the new trial will be focused on. It will be focused on the implementation of climate action and how we support businesses to try to embark upon transition. The key issue is that we have too much regulation.”
“There is a lot of legislation in place to protect workers in this regard. If there are any allegations of any other activity, the Corporate Enforcement Authority and An Garda Síochána also stand ready to investigate, should any issues be raised with them.”
“Absolutely, and I know there was a Fastway depot in my home town of Mullingar where a number of workers are affected. My thoughts are with them. The Government is here to support and work with them under the current framework. I note again the significant challenges presented by the 30-day consultation period, but it is there to protect workers. Any holiday pay or wages that accrue will be paid by the receiver. It is up to the receiver to take details from the self-employed as well, particularly proof of invoices, etc., which is very important for payment of workers later down the line. We have been in very close contact with families and the Department of Social Protection and we are happy to receive any further ideas on how to deal with these matters in the future.”
“We have in place urgent needs support from the Department of Social Protection which will be available to assist employees. There is a lot of judicial precedent around that particular directive, particularly in Luxembourg where a number of cases were taken to ensure Ministers are unable to intervene in that 30-day period. While we are bound by that directive, we are working very closely with employees and their families and any support we can give will be forthcoming, particularly in future. We have to ensure there are huge opportunities in the economy to future-proof for the workers' families and get additional income for them at a very difficult time. This is very concerning for families but we are there to support them.”
“I have also been in constant contact with the Department of Social Protection on this issue to ensure employees are supported. We have also been in touch with the Revenue Commissioners, particularly for those who are self-employed and linked to this. I am very clear that the approach the Revenue will take will be a very understanding one, considering the stress of cashflow when people get news like this or a company closes urgently. For those protections, provided the employee does not resign from his or her post, the redundancy is protected. That is the key issue. I am obliged to adhere to the EU collective redundancy directive, which is very clear that the consultation period has to be completed before other supports can be given.”
“Following the completion of the 30-day consultation process, employees may apply for jobseeker's pay-related benefit or jobseeker's allowance, if their employment ends. Employees in need of immediate financial assistance should visit their local Intreo centre social welfare branch office, where an application for an urgent needs payment can be processed as a high priority.”
“Provided they do not resign from the current employment, there should be no obstacle to them retaining their statutory redundancy entitlements. Where their employer has become insolvent, employees' entitlements are protected under the redundancy payments scheme and redundancy Act. This scheme guarantees employees' statutory redundancy payments and certain wage-related entitlements such as arrears of wages and minimum notice. The receiver is responsible for applying, under the redundancy and insolvency payment schemes, on the employees' behalf. The processing of these claims cannot occur until the termination of the employment has taken place after the 30-day consultation period concludes.”
“Receivers are independent in the exercise of their functions and I cannot intervene in such matters. Where employees are affected by receivership, the Government works in a co-ordinated way to assist with income supports and employment and training opportunities for those affected. I received a collective redundancy notification from the receivers of the Nuvion Group on 31 October 2025. I understand the receivers are undertaking a 30-day consultation with employees' representatives as required by law. It is important to note there is no specific statutory restriction on employees from taking up additional employment during the consultation period in circumstances where they are not expected to attend the workplace.”
“I thank the Deputy for this very important question. My thoughts are with all those affected by the receivership and all of their families because I know it is a very difficult and uncertain time. I also know the news can be very distressing for all of those involved. Receivership is a long-standing legal mechanism for the enforcement of a security. Usually in Ireland, a receiver is an individual appointed by a lender, such as a bank, to take control of a company's or an individual's assets that were used as security for a loan. In general, a receiver's primary function is to secure the assets of the company, which has been mortgaged or charged in favour of the security holder who appointed him or her, and realise those assets so the secured creditor's debt is repaid as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
“The moment I was most proud of Deputy Simon Harris, was in this Chamber on 23 April 2024, just 14 days after he was elected Taoiseach, when he delivered a State apology to victims of the Stardust fire. At that time, we saw 48 young faces whose lives were taken short. We saw a Taoiseach bring forward an apology full of empathy and compassion that transcended politics. His words were recognised by those who had carried the pain for decades. That is the Simon Harris I know - a man of compassion and a family man. That is the Simon Harris I am proud of and I admire. I am absolutely privileged that he leads our party.”
“The first thing Aontú has done is brought the nuclear option and tried to pull down the Government, with parties that are providing solutions together for these families. When I was appointed Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, the then Taoiseach, Deputy Simon Harris, immediately said we need to reset and focus on family businesses. Since then, in the first eight weeks we delivered an SME package. We brought forward an action plan on market diversification and an action plan on competitiveness and productivity, enhancing the productive capacity of our economy and ensuring our SMEs get the support they need. That is a Government of delivery.”
“I offer my sympathies to Gillian and Stephen, parents of the late Harvey, for their inconsolable loss. This debate is brought to us by Aontú, by a party that is absolutely bankrupt of ideas. We heard its leader, Deputy Peadar Tóibín, on "Morning Ireland" this morning bemoaning the fact that he has had only two or three opportunities to table Private Members' business in this House. Yet, at the very first opportunity Aontú has, does it bring forward an alternative plan or alternative ideas? Does it-----”
“We know we are the most expensive economy for electricity in Europe because we are price-takers. We have two interconnectors waiting to come on stream, one with the UK and one off the coast of Cork with Brittany. They will make a difference. As we go through the national affordability task force, we have to grasp the nettle. As the Government puts billions of euro into energy, we cannot levy it back on the user. That is the current framework and that is the change that needs to happen.”
“I thank the Senator for that intervention. We are price-takers in the market. That is a big issue in power. We have set up the national affordability task force and the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, is trying to ensure that as we invest in our grid, we make the user pay less. In the new capital programme, PR6, we are investing about €18 billion in improving our transmission and grid capacity. In PR5, we invested about €8 billion, so it is a significant increase in expenditure. The framework is the key thing that Government will have to grasp. This capital expenditure will transform our generation capacity. We will have 9 GW of solar come into the grid by 2030, 8 GW of onshore wind and, in theory, 5 GW post 2030 of offshore wind. How do we make that investment cheaper to the user?”
“I know it is very important for Longford town and the area. I have covered as much as I can in my response and I thank everyone for their time.”
“We will finish transposing and designating competent authorities under the AI Act by next August. Then we will establish our office, which will be a significant statement by the State. That will work not only on regulating artificial intelligence, but also on developing the model and looking at opportunities for our businesses across the country. There is a huge opportunity and it is something we have to grasp with both hands. On the IDA, I understand from the last conversation I had that we should be due an announcement pretty shortly on it. I will try to get the Senator a note on that to bring us up to date. It is a significant priority. There are a few issues that Transport Infrastructure Ireland was working through on the site it has. Those have been resolved, I understand, and we can progress on it.”
“That will all be captured by our tourism policy and we will have key performance indicators with our State agency, Fáilte Ireland, to ensure we are reaching our targets. They will be significant targets but we have to aim big because the sector can bring revenue to all parts of our country. I know from meeting businesses down there with Senator Kennelly how important it is. Equally with Senator Conway in County Clare, I saw how critical it is to Ennistimon, Lehinch and the towns and villages around there. The huge offering tourism makes is very important. Senator Flaherty raised a number of issues. Artificial intelligence will be key. It is for the future. It does not have to be located in any one town or city. It is an area where we will have a lot of opportunity in the future.”
“We will embrace SMEs because they are integral to grasping the opportunity that will be in the marketplace. We will put boots on the ground where there are new air routes. We have three new gateways into the US market this year - three new direct flights. We have 21 in total. When policy decisions like that are taken, we need to put resources behind them to sell them and get people back here. That will be important. We will have an all-Ireland food strategy, which will be particularly important in the European market where there is a challenge with the lack of understanding of the huge artisan offering we have in Ireland. We will expand our business events strategy and will potentially get €1 billion per year out of that.”
“In relation to Mullingar, there have been a number of improvements relating to the advanced factory unit, on which the sod has been turned. A huge amount of work will be done there over the next 18 months to ensure it is delivered. There was also the announcement in the past month by the US company G and F Precision Molding of 30 jobs in the area. Senators Kennelly and Conway raised important points about tourism, digitalisation and improving the offering. I am hopeful that we will have our tourism strategy ready next month. We will be doing a number of things within the tourism strategy. We will expand the remit of Fáilte Ireland. It will work with our restaurants now, having focused more on hotels previously. We need to develop the model. How do we make the offering more sustainable?”
“Businesses face a huge challenge with employment costs and we need to ensure that they are getting incentivised to deliver those apprenticeships. We have a lot of work to do in this area. Auto-enrolment is a big challenge for businesses and I will raise the matter with the Minister, Deputy Calleary. We know it is a very significant policy decision to support the demographic change in our country and sustain people to have a proper income as they go into retirement, but there is a big challenge for business as well. We have to try to support them with information and support in terms of the mechanism to do it, but also financially it is a big challenge. That is why I am hopeful that some of the viability measures will help some cohorts, but I agree that we have more to do and we have to try our very best on it.”
“We have a lot of work to do to make them simpler, and that is the first horizon I am trying to get over, particularly the ones that are not of high value. There is no big risk to the taxpayer, but it is important to turn them around as quickly as we can. Digitalisation is a very important objective of the Government. We are trying to improve the approach to make businesses more sustainable and we will be doing a lot in that regard. As Senators Davitt and Lawless pointed out, apprenticeships are also very important. The national action plan for competitiveness and productivity contains a large number of actions on apprenticeships and trying to upskill people, which is going to be critical. Incentivising businesses to take on apprentices is a key element.”
“Regarding Senator Scahill's points about the national enterprise hub, the team there has responded to 7,800-odd strong leads since its inception, which is very strong. There is a lot of investigation in terms of working with and supporting many of our SMEs and considering the fact that time is a premium for family businesses, we want to do a lot more in that space and hopefully help them further. Senator O'Donovan's point about the chambers of commerce is a good one. We can look at working more closely with them, particularly in relation to many of the grants that are available through local enterprise offices. The chambers can be brought on board as well to assist companies in accessing those grants.”
“Excise duty is one of those that is very important for our pubs and wet pubs, which provide a very strong offering. That is another area where I think there is significant merit in the proposal, particularly for the on-trade, which is very important to sustain. It is something we can look at in the future. On the points raised by Senators Ryan and Collins, the licensing issues come under the remit of the Department of Health, unfortunately. I have raised the issue of the increase in licensing fees, particularly for corner shops. I have written to the Department of Health on the matter. There has not been any change on it yet, so we await further developments. Senator Kyne raised the matter with me already. He said it was raised on the Order of Business. It is another issue that we can respond on.”
“The owner told me that the instructions that go into each bottle of medication are printed by his company and it is linked into one of the biggest life-science companies in the country. This demonstrates that link which should not be taken for granted. Regarding the 9% VAT rate, this is very important to sustain jobs in rural and regional areas of the country. Senators Crowe and Nelson Murray pointed out how important it is to look beyond that. We have in the programme for Government measures that are contained within PRSI for our SMEs, particularly in retail and hospitality. We cannot do everything in one budget, and hopefully we will be looking at areas of further improvement for viability in the years ahead, and also looking at other areas that we could not deliver in this budget.”
“We are looking to get to 50,000 exports in the next four years. In the key markets, Europe grew by 8%, to approximately €10.6 billion euro. This is now the lead market for our Enterprise Ireland clients. The US grew by 8% and the UK grew by 4%. We have a very strong base and it is growing and we are creating more jobs in it. That is the explicit evidence as we look at it. We can grow the links between our SMEs and our multinationals. I was awestruck by the connection between one of the very big life-science companies in Athlone and smaller companies. I was in Ballinasloe visiting a small printing company. This is a family business which employs some 25 people.”
“Some of those companies have small SMEs right across the country that are providing key services for them to be successful here in the Irish economy and it is important we never forget that. Intel, for example, has 850 SMEs working for it, including Banagher Precast Concrete and Kiernan Structural Steel in Longford. It is a hugely diverse spread. It is important that we understand this integrated relationship. It is also important to note that the top ten Irish companies based in Ireland employ 450,000 people globally. This demonstrates the strong internationalisation of the Irish economy. If we go by evidence, which we all should in this Chamber, and look back, we had a record year for Irish indigenous companies last year, with exports of about €36.75 billion. They employ 234,000 people through Enterprise Ireland.”
“That will allow our SMEs to scale and give them the support and the funding they need at an early stage, which is critical to their success. One point that really runs through a few of the themes is in relation to our indigenous economy, which is very close to my heart and is very important. It is very important to have a strong multinational space as well, because some of the companies that are referenced here have been in this country for 50, 60 or 70 years. One of the great things that can be seen as a theme running through those companies is that many of them have hundreds of SMEs deeply embedded in their supply chains. We brought packages to Cabinet today with research, development and innovation grants.”
“We are now putting a huge amount of effort into doing things simpler, lighter and faster, reducing the conditions and hopefully getting to a stage where we can turn those smaller SME grants around in 24 hours to grant approval in principle, particularly in the space of digitalisation and decarbonisation. We know that if companies can change the business model and reduce their utility bills, it gives them a fighting chance of being sustainable into the future. In relation to scaling, we will come forward later next year with our new national accelerator programme. That will join all the dots between the current model, with Dogpatch Labs, PorterShed and Republic of Work and so many different pieces of the jigsaw around the country. We will have a very strong model with Enterprise Ireland at its core.”
“I thank the Acting Chairperson and all 14 Senators for their contributions and the points they raised. I will just touch on a few of the points. Certain themes went through a number of the points. First of all, Senator Linda Nelson Murray made excellent points about SMEs. We all know that small family businesses employ about two-thirds of people across the country and they do not have HR directors or finance directors. A lot of their great work is done around the kitchen table. That is why we are very keen to support them in having grants that do not require a huge amount of time.”
“In today’s volatile global economy, we are keeping a laser focus on supporting Irish SMEs, regional development, innovation and tourism to ensure Ireland remains resilient and competitive, and so that quality job opportunities remain available to our citizens. The 2.82 million workers in our economy must be protected through every available means and budget 2026 has job protection objectives right at its core.”
“Ultimately, we will be introducing key performance indicators to ensure that our SMEs remain at the very heart of our tourism offering and that they can grasp the opportunities tourism presents for our local economies and our indigenous enterprises. The expenditure and taxation measures announced in budget 2026 have been framed in light of the need to moderate the level of public expenditure increases while also targeting those areas where support is most needed. The taxation and expenditure announced in the budget will ensure that we can continue to grow our economy through increasing our competitiveness and productivity, delivering quality jobs and diversifying across international markets to mitigate against economic shocks.”
“On the current side, the €618 million allocation will support the establishment of the national Al office, enhance tourism development and strengthen operational capacity across our agencies. It will also ensure we are ready to lead during Ireland's EU Presidency in 2026, including our role in shaping the European Competitiveness Fund. These investments are strategic, targeted, and essential to securing Ireland’s future competitiveness. On the tourism side, we will receive €70 million in national development plan funding over the coming years, and later this month I will be launching our landmark new tourism strategy. The strategy will expand the remit of Fáilte Ireland, include plans around our new national culinary strategy, as well as laying out our ambitions and targets around business events and tourism.”
“Under the national development plan, our capital envelope of €3.68 billion, augmented by agency-generated income, will allow us to invest nearly €5 billion over the next five years. This funding will support both existing programmes and new multi-annual investments aligned with the programme for competitiveness and our actions through government. We are investing in next-generation foreign direct investment, FDI, sites, scaling indigenous businesses through a new scaling fund, with €120 million allocated to support Irish participation in European innovation projects like IPCEI, or important projects of common European interest. We are also expanding technology centres, boosting European Space Agency contract opportunities, and driving innovation through the disruptive technologies innovation fund.”
“The 4.8% increase in the minimum wage is not dissimilar to the overall expected increase in wages across the economy next year, and will benefit 200,000 workers across the State. The Low Pay Commission is made up of both employee and employer representatives and delivered this unanimous recommendation, which Government has accepted and will now implement. I will now turn to the resources allocated to my Department under budget 2026, resources that will enable us to deliver on our strategic priorities for enterprise, innovation, and tourism. This year, we have secured a gross allocation of €1.298 billion, made up of €618 million in current funding and €680 million in capital funding.”
“These measures, when taken together, strongly signal Government’s commitment to the pro-enterprise vision espoused in the action plan on competitiveness and productivity which I launched with the Taoiseach and Tánaiste last month, as well as the action plan on market diversification. Both comprehensive plans signal the pathway forward for Irish SMEs as we navigate changed geopolitical trading environments. The Government has endorsed the recommendation of the Low Pay Commission to increase the minimum wage to €14.15 per hour. In coming to its decision, the commission took a number of factors into consideration, including the potential impact of any increase on employment and competitiveness.”
“We have increased the capital gains tax, CGT, revised entrepreneur relief lifetime limit from €1 million to €1.5 million, at a rate of 10%. We have increased the employer PRSI threshold to ensure that employers do not pay the higher rate of PRSI for full-time workers earning the proposed increase to the national minimum wage. We have made amendments to the digital games tax credit to support the life cycle of video game development. We have extended the special assignee relief programme, SARP, for a further five years. There are changes to foreign dividends rules. We have extended the key employee engagement scheme to the end of December 2028.”
“This sector accounts for almost 200,000 jobs, with many of those workers on the national minimum wage. Some 75% of these businesses have fewer than ten employees and just 0.4% of hospitality SMEs are considered large businesses or food chains. I will now outline some of the other pro-business tax measures in budget 2026. There is an increase in the rate of the R and D tax credit from 30% to 35%, which will be of huge benefit to our innovative industries, increasing investment and employment in pharma, medtech, engineering and more in the coming decades. I am determined that more indigenous SMEs can access the R and D tax credit, and changes have been made so that the threshold for first-year refunds will increase to €87,500 to support smaller projects.”
“Resilient, productive economies do not happen by chance, and our business ecosystem requires smart intervention to future-proof our industries and jobs. We have seen how careful, considered management over the last decade has strengthened our economy, and we must continue on this pathway to ensure we do not get complacent as we prepare to take advantage of the next wave of technology and advancement. The reduction in the hospitality VAT rate to 9% will benefit all food businesses, which are integral parts of every town and village in the country, providing valuable employment in their local communities. While a significant support, the hospitality VAT rate reduction amounts to 18% of the overall tax package and is an appropriate lifeline to our hospitality SMEs when it comes to viability and value.”
“The fact that we have a record number of over 2.82 million people in work and that our economy continues to enjoy very healthy levels of growth, notwithstanding strong geopolitical headwinds, is a testament to the hard work of the Irish people and the benefits of Government budgetary policy. The package of budget measures announced continues our dual approach of safeguarding the national finances while also providing supports to targeted areas. Our aim as a Government must always be to improve the lives of our people. Focusing on quality employment and keeping businesses viable provides a pathway for people to access meaningful opportunities which provide economic stability and enhance quality of life.”
“I welcome the opportunity to address Senators today and make a few comments regarding budget 2026, particularly the budget measures that relate to my own Department. Budget 2026 is a strongly pro-jobs, pro-enterprise budget. The signal has gone out that Ireland is a fantastic place in which to do business, to scale and to invest. We must ensure that our economy and workforce continue to reap the benefits that the enterprise economy brings. The budget demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring that our economy delivers for our citizens and that we support our people and businesses through investment and sensible management of our finances.”
“The 4.8% increase in the minimum wage is not too dissimilar to our overall estimated increase in wages right across the economy. Some 200,000 workers will benefit from this increase. Where businesses thrive, jobs will follow. Budget 2026 is profoundly pro-enterprise and pro-worker. It recognises the critical link between industrial development, infrastructure investment and job creation. In today’s volatile global economy, we are focusing on supporting Irish SMEs, regional employment, innovation and tourism. This will be key to the launch of our tourism plan next month. That plan will focus on new markets, diversification and maintaining some of the high-value markets we currently have. In the context of protecting the 2.82 million people employed right across our economy, we cannot take anything for granted.”
“When taken together, these measures strongly signal the Government’s commitment to a pro-enterprise vision espoused in the action plan for competitiveness and productivity, which I launched with the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste last month, and the action plan on market diversification. Both comprehensive plans signal the path forward for Irish SMEs as we navigate changed geopolitical trading environments. I also welcome the Government’s decision to endorse the recommendation of the Low Pay Commission to increase the minimum wage to €14.50 per hour. In coming to its decision, the commission outlined that it took a number of factors into consideration, including the potential impact of any increase on employment and competitiveness.”
“Our other pro-business tax measures in budget 2026 include: an increase in the research and development tax credit from 30% to 35%, which will be a huge benefit to our innovative industries, increasing investment and employment in pharma, MedTech and engineering and other such areas in the coming decades; an increase in the capital gains tax; a revised entrepreneur relief lifetime limit, increased from €1 million to €1.5 million, at a rate of 10%; amendments to the digital games tax credit to support the lifecycle of video game development; an extension of the special assignee relief programme scheme for a further five years; changes to the foreign dividends rules; and the extension of the key employee assignment scheme at the end of December 2028.”
“The reduction in the rate of VAT relating to the hospitality sector to 9% will benefit businesses in the sector. Those businesses are an integral part of every village, town and city in the country. This rate cut will provide valuable employment to local communities and significant support to their sectors. While the hospitality package represents less than 18% of the total tax package, it is an appropriate lifeline for our SMEs when it comes to viability and value. This sector accounts for almost 200,000 jobs, with many of those who work in it on the national minimum wage.”
“The package of budget measures announced yesterday continues our dual approach of safeguarding our national finances while providing supports in targeted areas. As a Government, our aim must always be to improve the lives of our people by focusing on quality employment and keeping businesses viable because this provides a strong pathway for people to succeed and enjoy a good standard of living. Growing productive economies does not happen by chance. Our business ecosystem requires smart intervention to future-proof our industries and jobs. We have seen careful and considered management over the past decade that has brought our economy back from the brink since 2011. We must continue this pathway in order to ensure that we do not become complacent. We must prepare for the next wave of technology and advancement.”
“This is a strongly pro-jobs and pro-enterprise budget. The signal has gone out that Ireland is a fantastic place to do business, to scale up and to invest in. Our economy and workforce must continue to reap the benefits. The budget demonstrates the Government’s commitment to ensure that our economy delivers for our citizens and supports our people and businesses through investment and sensible management of our finances. The fact we have a record number of people - 2.82 million – working in our economy, which, notwithstanding the strong geopolitical headwinds, continues to enjoy healthy levels of growth, is a testament to the benefits of Government budgetary policy and the hard work of the Irish people.”
“It needs to be an enterprise budget focused on sustaining job growth, keeping 2.81 million people employed - a record in our country - and giving everyone the key opportunity in life of a job.”
“We will bring forward our tourism policy next month, which will look at how to expand Fáilte Ireland's remit to restaurants, helping them to develop their business models, help with costs, get them on board with digitalisation in terms of sustainability grants, and enhance their capacity. Tourism is keenly linked with our SMEs. They go hand in glove. They need to grow together. That is why having tourism at the heart of the Department of enterprise is important. The work the Deputy did engaging with businesses over the past number of weeks is commendable and will form part of discussions as we approach budget 2026. I look forward to the Ministers, Deputies Donohoe and Chambers, having a strong enterprise budget. This is budget No. 1 of the new Government.”