Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is great to see Mr. Neill, Mr. Roberts and Mr. Kelly. We have seen a lot of them in the past year, which is positive. I attended the launch of the report in Iveagh House in July and it was incredible to see how the Northern Ireland economy has changed. Retail Northern Ireland will drive growth and prosperity in the next ten years and we need more of that. It is welcome.

We have been talking about infrastructure and other areas. There are one or two areas about which I want to talk. The cost of doing business and the cost of energy in the all-Ireland electricity market has its pluses and minuses. What are our guests' views? Businesses in the Republic, and I am sure the same is true in Northern Ireland, have faced considerable increases in the cost of energy. I know the situation is beginning to stabilise. How do our guests see that situation? Do they think it is the right model?

The are issues in respect of the availability of labour and the barriers to free movement. Many workers are coming in from the EU and outside the EU. Does Northern Ireland have the same challenges as we have?

Our guests have spoken about the area to the west of the River Bann and the requirement for more infrastructure. I have noticed since the Covid-19 pandemic that talented people are moving into non-traditional areas because of the availability of broadband. Some people from Dublin and London have decided to fix their roots in rural Ireland and Northern Ireland. Have our guests noticed that? It is very positive. How do we capitalise on that in the future?

We need to take more cross-Border action in respect of education. We are thankful that we now have the Atlantic Technological University, comprising Letterkenny, Sligo, Castlebar and Galway. There is a lot of collaboration we can do. I am happy to see our guests again and they are welcome.