Ms Nikki Gallagher:

I thank Senator Blaney and the committee. We are delighted to be here today to facilitate a conversation. That is what this campaign is all about: facilitating thoughtful, reflective conversation about prosperity on the island and the role business has played.

The report we have been talking about thus far is just one aspect of the campaign. Those members who have read it will be aware it also contains case studies. We felt it was very important to capture not just the facts, figures and economic impact, but the real stories behind the facts and figures. A number of case studies are contained within the report and we have created a micro site which captures more case studies. We will continue to build on them throughout the campaign. They are stories from IBEC members and some who are not IBEC members right across the island telling us how the peace process and peace dividend has had a massive impact on their business and why prosperity matters so much in the past, present and future. We would be very happy to keep the committee updated as we build up the stories.

The campaign will last six months and the report launch was kick off. We have a number of other events scheduled for the coming weeks. They are all telling stories as much as being about the economics. We have an event on 23 February to which many members have been invited. That is a peacemakers event with former Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and Alastair Campbell, who was adviser to Tony Blair at the time. We will have an International Women's Day event and events in Brussels and in Washington as well as more events in Dublin and throughout the country in the coming months.