Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for coming to this meeting and for their opening statements. It has been a very worthwhile discussion so far and has touched on various topics impacting our constituents North and South. It may not have been what the members of the committee were expecting to hear, as we are solely focused on unification and what that might look like. I often get asked how we can make that aim happen and what steps it is necessary to take to achieve this goal.

This conversation has been very worthwhile in that regard and has triggered quite a bit of interesting conversation.

My first question is on corporation tax. Our guests have mentioned that devolving corporation tax is not advisable, is a distraction and we should look further afield for comparisons. I ask them to make some suggestions and apologise if this issue has already been covered. The Scandinavian model has been mentioned. Our guests have mentioned that NERI will have its own economic model next year and it is working on that now. Is it possible for this committee to get NERI's model to discuss it once that work has been completed?

I will ask all of questions and our guests can answer them all at the same time. The picture our guests have painted is important. I refer to the statement that the differences between the North and South have been too different for far too long. I believe there is a need to quantify and measures those differences. Interestingly, our guests mentioned that there areas where there are comparable similarities and the one that I noted was economic inactivity. Has NERI, in its work, put together a list of issues? If so, as it would not involve too much work, I ask the witnesses to supply a list of the areas which are comparable, such as economic inactivity, and those which are not.

Housing has been mentioned and is a hugely important issue. I have had engagements with representatives of IBEC and local businesses in County Clare who have told me that housing is a massive issue. A lot of these companies and corporations have had to become landlords, against their own wishes because they never envisioned a time when they would have to do so, but in order to secure their workforce, they have had to take such a step. The second issue they have raised with me is access to childcare. They have said that when they have finally been able to put in place the housing answer for the workers they are trying to bring into the country, the next question is whether there is access to childcare because what we have found in many locations, and in rural locations in particular, is that they are closing down. Childcare provision is another area of concern for me. Our guests have also mentioned the differences with the cost of living and the rates of social welfare. We know that there is a huge difference between North and South in social welfare rates. I may come back in. based on responses.