Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Roberts and thank him for his presentation. As someone who comes from a retail background – my family had a newsagent's shop – I am aware of how challenging it has been for smaller retailers in recent years. We were also on the Newtownards Road. On most of the main streets in Belfast what is left are pubs, bookies and hairdressers. It is difficult to compete with out-of-town businesses and large retailers such as Aldi and Tesco. It is a significant issue in the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, and the Republic. Does Mr. Roberts have a message for businesses, most of which are just hanging on with dwindling reserves?

Reference was made to rates. There is a clamour in the Republic to get rid of rates for businesses. Is Mr. Roberts aware of any incentive that could be introduced in this regard?

I am someone who is not put off by the flag protests. I regularly travel to Belfast which I enjoy visiting, but I did not because I did not need the aggravation. If someone like me is saying this, one can be certain there are tens of thousands across the United Kingdom and the Republic who will not bother going there.

Who is being targeted in the campaign? Is it people in Belfast, across the island of Ireland or in the United Kingdom?