I join my colleagues, Senator Mary Moran and others, in offering sympathy to the family of the late Deputy Shane McEntee who was a generous and warm-hearted individual. When I experienced my own political dark nights, he was the man who was most in contact with me. He kept me going.

At the RDS this morning I attended Showcase 2013, the exhibition of craft products organised by the Crafts Council of Ireland. I was very impressed by the range and quality of the products of Dorothy Matthews of Corona Silver from Readypenny, Gareth Mallon from Omeath and Sarah McKenna of Dundalk Ceramics.

The Senator is being parochial.

This exhibition could travel around the whole country, but there is a problem. I ask that the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation be invited to come to the Seanad to establish whether certain things could be done for the craft industry. First, in the year of the Gathering, could the rate of VAT be reduced during the summer months for this export-led industry? Second, could the JobBridge scheme be extended to include sole traders? Most of those involved in the craft industry are sole traders. Through the JobBridge scheme, they could train and employ people who would have a craft at the end of nine months. This is something we should consider strongly.