merrion street

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, T.D. this evening paid tribute to Ireland’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for creating two thirds of all new jobs.

Addressing the Small Firms Association National Business Awards, the Tánaiste said:

“Ireland is immensely proud of its SME sector. Despite the significant challenges that we have faced in recent years, our indigenous producers and SMEs have faced these economic conditions with great resolve and determination. The private sector plays a vital role in driving our economic recovery. Ireland’s small and medium enterprises create two thirds of all new jobs.

I think that our recent experience of economic crisis and recovery has demonstrated quite clearly the importance of the SME sector and its role in Ireland’s recovery. And Ireland is recovering.”

The Tánaiste also highlighted the role the Embassy network plays in supporting Irish businesses:

“Many of you here will be familiar with the vital role Embassies play, in close collaboration with the relevant State agencies, in opening doors for Irish businesses and supporting their expansion into new export markets. I would like to encourage each of you, when overseas, to engage with our Embassy network and with the State agencies. Our strength on the international stage is based on the connections and networks which we enjoy - I encourage you all to be part of that network.”