Mr. Gerard Brady:

-----a see-saw effect. That is one of the challenges.

To go to the Deputy's other questions on getting materials, modern methods of construction are probably the best way of reducing the reliance and need for materials because we would use them much more efficiently. There will be challenges with materials. There will be a lot of demand for materials across Europe over the coming decades. That will be something we will need to watch, but those are global supply chains and I do not think there is much we can do about it, apart from being more efficient in how we use our own stuff here at home.

On planners, changes in respect of work permits are very important. We have started to see some progress on that. There will need to be investment in planning courses and bringing people into the system, but progress is certainly being made, which will hopefully continue.

The broadband plan has been a huge success from our members' perspective. It has been really welcome. There are still parts of the country where people will complain about digital accessibility, but it is much smaller than it was six, seven or eight years ago, and a much smaller issue than it had been. It has been a huge success in roll-out and a welcome one. I chose a piece of infrastructure we have developed really well and efficiently.

As to how we can support the roll-out of more of that type of infrastructure, and as regards this forum we have talked about, a lot of that will be delivered by the private sector rather than as public infrastructure. Similarly, a lot of AI-related infrastructure will be delivered by either semi-States or the private sector. Those are looking for funding from abroad to try to win more investment into Ireland, so we need to treat it more like we do IDA clients, that if you are winning investment into the country, you need more support in trying to attract it in the first instance.

On the AI question about what infrastructure is important for that, grid and water are the two pieces. Grid in particular will be hugely important. We are challenged in both those areas at the moment and will be for the next five or six years at least, so it is important that we are able to win projects in that space. We see other countries, particularly France and other European countries, doing really well because they have both nuclear and very advanced grid and water systems. We have a track record with those companies but we are starting in a challenging place. The more priority that can be given to that underpinning infrastructure the better, particularly through the Apple money and the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund and the use of those funds.