merrion street

Check against delivery
Good morning.
I’m very pleased to be here today at what promises to be a very informative event. But I’d like to start with a word or two about last Friday’s atrocities in Paris. There will be many of you in this room who do export to, or import from, France. The ties between Ireland and France are profound. Over the centuries we looked to France for inspiration and support.
Our national flag, the Tricolour, was consciously modelled on that of France, so as to visibly embrace the cherished ideals of the French Republic. More recently, contact between our peoples has become routine. We do a vast volume of trade with France. Many Irish people holiday in France and vice versa, and our students do exchange visits. We share the same values. And we will stand with France as they look to deal with the threat to those values.
Returning to today’s conference, this is an opportunity to hear from a wide range of industry experts.   It’s an opportunity to learn more about current export/import markets and future trends and to hear about new opportunities in foreign markets. More importantly it’s an opportunity to meet people from Ireland and from abroad, to forge new links and to share knowledge. I know many businesses endured a torrid time during the crisis, and a lot are still struggling in the aftermath. But the recovery is beginning to be felt now.
Yesterday, the CSO released their latest employment data. It shows that more than 1,100 people are returning to full-time work every single week. Unemployment has fallen under 9% for the first time since December 2008. Behind every new job is a person or family benefitting in their own lives from the wider recovery. And the extra money they earn is money that is inevitably spent on goods and services.
We are working hard in Government to secure the recovery and spread the benefits – for households and for businesses alike. We are doing this in a number of ways. Our €27 billion, six-year capital investment plan will deliver better roads, rail links, broadband and related infrastructure that will benefit both business and communities.
Our €2.8 billion school building programme announced just yesterday will ensure our children learn in the very best facilities, and get the best possible education.
We also work directly with companies themselves. For example, for a company with a great product to sell, stepping up from local to global sales can be difficult.
That is why, through our offices and agencies – and in particular through Enterprise Ireland – the Government has developed a range of initiatives to assist companies to grow in overseas markets. 
Enterprise Ireland’s overseas structure has the capability of providing clients with the appropriate support in markets where there are identified opportunities matched by client capability and client interest and demand. In addition to supporting the internationalisation of Irish companies, Enterprise Ireland, working in collaboration with IDA Ireland, is focussed on targeting internationally mobile start-ups. 
A €10 million fund has been developed for international start-ups which offers equity funding to leading-edge teams to locate their start-up business in Ireland. Many of those that Enterprise Ireland reaches out to in this regard are members of the Irish diaspora – some members of the Global Irish Network, some not.
But regardless, these people give generously of their time, advice and often their own business connections to help Irish companies better understand the market they’re targeting.
On behalf of the Government, I would like to thank all those who have made the effort to assist Irish companies in growing their business abroad. And I look forward to this week’s Forum and the further opportunities for growth it can bring.
This growth is crucial, as it supports existing jobs and helps create new ones here in Ireland. Ireland’s success in the export sector has been a major factor in our economic recovery. Last year, Irish exports reached a record level of €194 billion.  This marked the fifth successive year-on-year export growth. 
It is also interesting to note that we are not exporting just physical goods.  The value of services imports and exports exceeded €100 billion for the first time in 2014.
Ireland’s geographic position and our EU membership provides our companies with excellent advantages. Access to prosperous markets.  Access to a greatly improving ecosystem of highly experienced staff, investors, suppliers, research institutes and professional advisers and support services.
Ireland has been ranked by World Bank, Forbes and IMD as one of the best countries in the world for both starting a business and doing business, as well as for availability and flexibility of skilled labour.
I want to say a few words on the issue of availability and flexibility, however. As a small and open economy, we recognise such factors as globalisation, the shift from manufacturing to services and the spread of information technology. We know that these changes have created sectors in the economy that place a premium on flexibility in the workplace.
We welcome business innovations that contribute to economic and jobs growth. But in all this innovation, the basic requirements of a decent working life must be protected.
We need to strike the right balance between enterprise’s need for flexibility with a worker’s right to job security – to a basic level of predictability in the terms and conditions of work. We recognise that this is not solely about employers’ needs. A lot of workers want that flexibility too, because it suits their personal or family circumstances at a given point in time. But we must prevent against an increase in precarious, badly paid, insecure employment.
As Labour Party Leader, I want a productive and prosperous economy, but one that exists so as to support a modern, fair and inclusive society.
So I want to see businesses flourish and jobs created – but also to ensure that these are decent jobs, with decent pay. Because paid work is about having the wherewithal to plan for a future, for a family, for a mortgage.
I think everyone in the room here would recognise the fundamental importance of striking that balance.
We want an innovative and competitive enterprise base delivering quality employment that is sustainable over the longer term and that delivers a higher standard of living for all of our people.
You will be absolutely central to the achievement of that vision. Central to the building of renewed prosperity and opportunity for our people.
I wish you continued success, and emphasise again that the Government will do all we can to assist you.