Mr. Frank Ryan:

In 2009 the figure was 54%; in 2010 it was 51%; in 2011 it was 38% and in 2012, 43%. When the problems in the construction sector became apparent in Ireland, the challenge for most was to walk away from the construction sector without being seen to break into a run. That is essentially what happened. Enterprise Ireland was left to face an incredible position on jobs losses in the sector. It required us to work on a programme for the transformation of the sector to develop it into an international construction sector with a base in Ireland, as opposed to being an Irish construction sector only. It was necessary for us to intervene at the level of chief executive officer. Duke University and Enterprise Ireland put together a leadership for growth programme to assist construction services companies, architects, engineers and other construction personnel such as surveyors to focus on export markets, on which they had not focused for the previous ten years. That involved us engaging with the London Development Authority which was closely associated with the Olympic Games in London and with Irish companies to secure contracts for the Olympic Games to the tune of approximately €300 million.