Mr. Eoin Doyle:

There is certainly an argument to say that environmental designations can preserve a pristine environment and in Cavan we would attempt to market our environment as a very high quality place in which to live and work. That does not do away with the deficits, but if one is looking at the new economy the roll-out of high-speed broadband in rural Ireland would be a game changer for many businesses. It would enable many small businesses to locate themselves in rural Ireland and it would give entrepreneurs the opportunity to base themselves there. As it is, there is anecdotal and hard evidence that businesses are leaving places like Cavan to go to larger population centres on the basis of broadband alone. The rapid acceleration of the national broadband programme would be an opportunity for new enterprise and development opportunities.

The Deputy has rightly spoken about Brexit. Up to the point of Brexit, the growth of the agriculture and food sector would have been very significant in Cavan, so obviously this House needs to keep an eye on how we can influence that to make sure we can mitigate the Brexit effects on what is a growth industry. Aside from that, in my opinion, a re-brand of the central corridor of the country for tourism would be a significant action. Ireland has had great success with the Wild Atlantic Way and in Dublin. I know that Fáilte Ireland has plans with regard to it but it needs to be backed up with a very strong investment programme, at both capital and promotional levels, to market the central aisle of the country, of which Cavan will form part, from the point of view of tourism. There is significant heritage, cultural and waterways potential in those areas. I suggest that this would be a priority investment for any administration.