Mr. Paul O'Hara:

I will be brief, Vice Chairman. Mr. Flannery has largely answered the point. There is something of a misconception that there is no correlation between philanthropy and job creation. What social entrepreneurs and others in the social sector are ultimately trying to do is solve problems. There are jobs in solving problems, as illustrated by the fact that 100,000 are currently employed in the sector. I agree that the sector has not professionalised in the same way as its counterpart in the United Kingdom.

The Deputy highlighted a problem of meanness in the corporate sector and among high net worth individuals. It is very clear that a cultural shift has to happen in this regard. I do not believe it is the case that people are inherently mean; it is simply that, culturally, it is not how things are done here. Likewise, a cultural shift is required in the citizens sector. We are talking, therefore, about two culture shifts. It is important to remember that there is a great deal of job creation in the citizens sector. There was a period through the 1990s where, in the 12 most developed economies in the world, the citizens sector was outstripping other sectors for job creation by a factor of three to one. The citizens sector can drive job creation in Ireland.