James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I understand and appreciate that. In east Cork, around the periphery of Cork city, it is no secret that there have been great achievements. However, IDA Ireland advance hubs have a role. To my great interest, I learned during the pandemic that many multinationals will not consider an external base unless they have secure premises. The likes of Apple and other major multinational tech or pharmaceutical firms do not want workers working in remote-working hubs unless they have a secure facility. In east Cork, particularly Youghal, this might be worth examining. The number of people who commute to Cork city daily from Dungarvan and Youghal along the country's southern corridor, the N25, is enormous. From a political perspective locally, what I call for would be much appreciated. I understand the prism through which IDA Ireland has to do its work and I am in no way critical of that, but I ask Mr. O'Rourke to acknowledge that there are consequences for towns that have had major long-term structural problems owing to the loss of so much employment over a relatively short period. This leaves behind much deprivation and poverty. The State, through IDA Ireland and other organisations, has a role to address this, where possible. A little forward thinking could account for the Celtic interconnector, which I believe has a role owing to the fibre-optic cables coming in from France, connecting continental Europe to Ireland directly by way of the largest-ever bilateral capital infrastructure project involving France and Ireland. If Mr. O'Rourke could consider this and have a conversation with Mr. Michael Lohan or other senior executives within IDA Ireland, I would appreciate it. I would also appreciate it if the executives visited the town.