Mr. James Hickey:

I thank the Senator for his comments, with which I entirely agree. The Olsberg report was actually from around 2017, but I strongly agree it should be updated at this stage. There is a need for information concerning and understanding of what the situation is now in this regard. As mentioned by some of the other contributors, it would be very helpful to focus on exactly the extent to which production is focused on the Dublin-Wicklow region. Some of the representatives here have mentioned things like, for example, most of the 75% of section 481-supported inward production taking place in the Dublin-Wicklow region. My estimation is that somewhere between 70% and 90% of all production activity takes place in the Dublin-Wicklow area. This is the issue that I think we are trying to focus on. I agree with the Senator concerning the idea that we do need as much information as possible on how to show this is the case and then come to conclusions in relation to solutions. I suggest to the Senator that not only do we need the information but also practical solutions for how to resolve the imbalance we all know exists and how we can move the situation forward. I thank the committee.