Mr. Ian Brannigan:

I will take the questions in order if that is okay. To answer Deputy Kyne's first question, I do not yet think we are at the point where people feel they are part of the creative economy. He is correct that someone working in the creative economy would consider himself or herself to be a jeweller, craftsperson or potter. That is fine. We do not need to change that. The use of the term "creative economy" is one to use simply from a support and branding point of view, and it is important to be known as a global creative region rather than tinkering with the personality and brand identity of individual producers.

I could go into a lot of detail in terms of unique potential in the region. The approach is twofold. First, the quality of life attracts people to live there. Addressing broadband and access infrastructure allows people to work there. The second thing is that there are specific sectoral issues that are very welcoming to people within certain areas. For example, a lot of world class photographers come to the west. We did a bit of research on NUIG on the reason that was happening. It turns out it is because of the light changes. We always talk about the weather but it means that one photograph can be taken on a given day in several different lighting conditions and it looks good. That is a reason a lot of photographers go there as well as the quality of life.

The last question related to the WDC's role in the Action Plan for Jobs. I am very happy to say that we are very much involved. To date, we have been involved in two to three of the regional workshops with the Minister. We have been fully involved in that process.