Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I dispute that. For example, in the west, NUI Galway has been given research money for a cluster of marine and offshore projects. We are identifying future clusters and investing in research centres where expertise is gathered. We have made decisions to provide facilities in Letterkenny, Athlone and Waterford. Waterford is a pharmaceutical and life science area and we can strengthen the cluster there. We are putting our money where our mouth is and building there, as we are doing in Athlone and Letterkenny. We are identifying regional locations where we think we can strengthen existing clusters.

It is not feasible to tell companies that want to cluster around a large, diverse and urban location to cluster elsewhere, as it is the nature of their business. They want multilingual and diverse skills, so they go to areas where they have the elements they need. I agree that we should examine clustering, so we must look at regions and competitive strengths. We must consider where we can build a credible cluster with existing strengths. By all means, we can make a play to win the relevant business in that regard, and that is the sort of discussion we must have with respect to regional opportunity. The west has been very successful in that regard, and if we can build clusters we will do so. The food sector, with its current growth trajectory, offers an opportunity for clusters in a number of areas. Many parties are looking at clean technology and there are a number of small clusters developing in that area. Digital gaming is another relevant sector.

We are developing clustering or sectoral strategies and looking to build on strengths in that regard. Deputy Conaghan would claim that the digital gaming sector is a strength in his neighbourhood, as Ballyfermot was one of the first to move to the gaming and animation industries. We will build where we have the ingredients of a cluster.