Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will try to do so but Senator Cullinane is not the easiest man in the world for whom to substitute.

I echo the sentiments expressed and wish Mr. Ryan luck in whatever he turns his hand to. I thank him for his great work and for his presentation. I will be a bit parochial today. If people went to Galway today where the Arts Festival is taking place, they might think the place was booming. However, looking at the distribution of jobs and the figures presented for the west, in particular, the net change is quite low compared to other regions. It is a net change of 43 jobs. We had 798 employment gains and 755 losses. Is there a reason for that? Perhaps Mr. Ryan might give us an indication, in terms of job creation, of the spend per region and how it is worked out. What is the cause for the minimal improvement in the west? Is there a reason for that? Does Mr. Ryan have any specific plans for the west to try to redress that figure?

In terms of the broader picture, it is very heartening to see that we still have exports of more than €16 billion. That is very good given the trading circumstances we are in. I refer to the slow down in the global economy, in particular in Britain, the EU and the USA. Where does Mr. Ryan see the scope for EI-supported businesses to build their market share in those markets, in particular given the difficult trading circumstances and the decline in the economies in those areas? What is the value for continual export growth in the emerging markets, in particular in the BRIC countries?