Mr. Niall O'Donnellan:

On specific enterprise zones, we have not looked at that in the context I believe the Deputy means, namely, in terms of a Border zone. Enterprise Ireland would be pleased to take part in any discussions on the matter should it matter. Synergies are created when companies are located together, particularly if they are operating in similar sectors as this creates opportunities for working together and so on. To respond to Deputy Ó Cuív's comment, this can occur in a small community enterprise centre in Kiltimagh as much as in other places. Enterprise Ireland will be pleased to engage in a conversation on the issue.

Deputy Michael Collins referred to rural development and also asked a question concerning a map. We will be happy to provide the analysis he seeks. Broadband is critical, as has been noted.

Deputy Ciarán Cannon raised the issue of venture capital. We had a conversation with the credit unions in 2008-09, which was during the crisis. We were trying to work out what were the options. As we are all aware, this was a serious time for all our companies. We tried to work out if the credit unions could help smaller companies in particular. Obviously, credit unions are focused on other areas. While we had a good conversation with them, there was a great deal happening on both sides of the conversation, if one likes. In addition, some issues arose because the Financial Regulator had concerns about the types of investment that could be considered in this context. While we did not pursue the conversation at that point, it is one to which we could return.

Deputy Catherine Connolly will be familiar with a credit union in Galway that has taken a highly proactive role in enterprise and enterprise support. This is an interesting model and while it need not necessarily be copied exactly, it certainly offers lessons to be learned. Enterprise Ireland will be happy to work jointly with the local enterprise offices and credit unions, which we view as an important part of local development in rural and urban areas.

On the Office of Government Procurement, as I indicated, issues arise in the procurement area and we are engaged in a conversation through our public procurement team.

On collaboration with multinational companies, we have extensive conversations with IDA Ireland, particularly to try to understand whether companies intending to locate here would be interested in some of the companies with which Enterprise Ireland works. There are, therefore, specific conversations taking place in this area. We have a team known as global sourcing which works directly with IDA Ireland on companies locating in Ireland which are engaged in certain types of activities. In each of the past two years, we have had an Irish markets week during which we introduce multinational companies based in Ireland to potential suppliers. This has worked out particularly well and the multinational companies have shown a strong interest, as have our clients and IDA Ireland.

To respond to Deputy Catherine Connolly, while I am a native of Galway city, Enterprise Ireland has not focused specifically on the issue she raises. We will examine the matter to identify what are the issues. We have invested in Galway city in a number of different ways, both in terms of the companies located in the city and the start-up scene. We were involved in PorterShed and a number of other areas and we are also involved in the National University of Ireland Galway. The regional director and team in place in Galway will be willing to examine the issue to gain a better understanding of it.

Bímid ag déileáil le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta go rialta. I am on the investment committee of Údarás na Gaeltachta and a member of Údarás na Gaeltachta is on one of Enterprise Ireland's investment committees. We work closely together and have a good interaction with the organisation.