Mr. Fergal O'Brien:

Absolutely. That is a recurring theme from so many of the stories Ms Gallagher has collected from business leaders.

The shared island work is incredibly important. We have engaged with much of it. For clarity, the ESRI study I mentioned on the macroeconomic model is something IBEC is funding directly. We are funding it independently of the shared island unit. The reason is we are hearing from our members that this issue is very important for business. We are very much collaborating with the work of the shared island unit but this initiative is being funded directly by our members because they see a significant gap in understanding how the all-island economy functions.

I will briefly address the question on Brexit uncertainty. There have definitely been phases over the seven years that have passed since the vote that Brexit uncertainty has had some impact on investment decisions. Right now, we are clearly in a position where the most significant concerns and fears have not come to pass. Business sees the protocol as preserving the Good Friday Agreement, delivering certainty on trade throughout the island and giving people confidence to invest. By and large, those industries that have seen opportunities have continued to invest, although probably going through various points of greater concern than others over the past seven years or so. It is very important, in terms of the ultimate outcome of the implementation of the protocol, that that certainty and stability is maintained.