Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations. The good work they do on collaboration is widely known across the island and internationally. Many other areas have a lot to learn from them. I commend everybody involved on the great work they are doing, the North West Strategic Growth Partnership and the positive cross-border collaboration that exists. The benefits can been seen in every area. The witnesses outlined many of them in their answers and presentation.

I have a couple of questions. Coming from Mayo, I do not buy into focusing solely on the Derry, Belfast and Dublin circuits. We are considering the western economic corridor and what can be developed along it. We are very enthusiastic about the possibilities and opportunities related to the Atlantic Technological University. My first question is on that. I note everything the witnesses said about the opportunities associated with the market of 500 million people in the EU and access to the British market, but the real challenge will be having a skilled labour force. It is a matter of how we can work on that. What are the opportunities, and what can we do from this end regarding the Atlantic Technological University? What are the opportunities associated with the green agenda, including the opportunities for investment in, and the growth of, renewable energies in the north west and west?