Tá mise ag iarraidh labhairt ar feadh cúpla nóiméad mar gheall ar chúrsaí fiontraíochta, entrepreneurship. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to come to the House to discuss two main topics, the first of which is small businesses. There are more than 200,000 SMEs in Ireland and they account for 99% of all businesses. They employ approximately 74% of those who work in the private sector. There is significant support available for exporters in the form of advice and mentoring, but support is not all about the provision of finance. The exports sector is an important sector for us, even though it is small. The vast majority of small and medium-sized businesses, however, do not export. I want the Minister to have an opportunity to speak to us to outline her vision and strategy for those small businesses that do not export.

On the second matter I wish to raise, as I am new here, I am not sure whether we can invite someone to come to the House. Can we invite the new Minister for Finance in Northern Ireland, Mr. Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, to address us? He is an entrepreneur who has created businesses and is very much involved in the community. From my perspective and knowledge of enterprise and entrepreneurship in Ireland, I know that the relationship between entrepreneurs in the North and the South is hugely important. A fair amount of business takes place between entrepreneurs on both sides of the island. I, therefore, ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Finance in Northern Ireland to inform Senators about strategies in place for entrepreneurs in the North. As it happens, I am due to meet him next Wednesday morning to discuss the sector and believe the meeting will prove helpful. It would be a big step forward if the House could invite such persons to address us, particularly when we have a very strong common interest.