Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am not sure, but it is certainly one of them. I have had this discussion with ISME and I have an open mind on it. Ultimately, it will be a call for the Taoiseach, who chairs the LEEF.

We do have a regional enterprise plan for the south east. I do not think we should set up something that would duplicate effort there by setting up a development commission. We have people who are committed to raising the profile of issues in the south east. I have a copy of a response to a parliamentary question that I think will be helpful. The south-east regional enterprise plan is overseen and monitored at a regional level by a steering committee made up of stakeholders from Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford. There is a lot of activity in the region in support of the plan. Rosslare Europort and Waterford Port are progressing their ambitious plans to develop their facilities. There is a €200 million offshore renewable energy hub in the context of Rosslare Europort. A stakeholder group has been formed to focus on the additional skills needed, the regional supply chain, marketing and industrial requirements and the opportunities arising from this.

Elsewhere, funding has been secured through the regional enterprise innovation scoping schemes, REISS, to advance the financial services centre of excellence and the south east. A project manager has been appointed. Funding was also secured through REISS and other funding to further advance the life sciences, innovation, research and development ecosystem in the south east.

My Department oversees the implementation of the plans at a national level. Together with the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, and the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, I attended a regional enterprise plan national oversight group meeting on 26 October. I could go on. There are many other things going on.

I have heard Deputy Shanahan say before that the south east is being left behind, etc., but actually, the numbers would not suggest that the south east is being left behind at all-----