Small and medium enterprises remain the backbone of both the Irish and European economy.

180,000 SMEs employ more than 900,000 people in Ireland, or 69% of the workforce, and are worth more than €40 billion to our economy.

While SMEs have the potential to return the Irish economy to growth, many are heavily indebted and lack access to finance.

Have the Irish government done enough to support indigenous companies? Are we over reliant on foreign direct investment? And is Ireland ultimately a difficult place to do business?

Listen back to the full interview here: