Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I would like to raise another issue. Mr. Travers outlined that data centres are driving much of the dynamism in this sector. If one listened to the commentary, one would think that data centres were the cause of all our energy and climate challenges. It is important to hear from our guests what the role of data centres is. Long term, we have a great opportunity in respect of offshore wind. We have the capacity to be a good location for data centres, which are a dynamic hub of the sector. I know there are short-term difficulties but taking the long-term context, I would be interested to hear the views of our guests.

I am interested in the wider issue of what one might call circularity. It seems to me that the smart use of resources is one area in which the technology sector could help Ireland to become a leader. We are not good at that. In construction, only 10% of waste is recovered. With the technology of barcoding, tracing and traceability, and recovery, it seems that the technology sector could play a role in brokering a better circular approach which would have big impacts.

My final question concerns the need for regulators to catch up with the likes of privacy protection developments and fake news. The direction is to try to manage these more effectively, for all sorts of important reasons, in the longer term. Are the sector and IDA Ireland anticipating the impact changes that are undoubtedly in the public interest will have on the sector? Can they position themselves to ensure the changes will represent an opportunity for the sector rather than a challenge?