Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein)
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One of the key learnings of the Scottish model - this goes back to a point Deputy Stanton made - relates to the key role information and education play. What the Scottish Government discovered was that it was lovely to have the idea of growing the co-operative movements, but the reality was that even the professional services involved in supporting businesses did not understand how co-operatives work. That is why the Scottish authorities came to see a co-operative development unit as being absolutely essential. The evidence was that once they set up such a unit and reached out to the professional classes supporting the relevant businesses, there was a 300% increase in the growth of co-operatives. That is why I was asking about best practice. At the heart of best practice in the Scottish model is the setting up of a development unit. Mr. Shine stated that he sees the Department having a key role. I agree with him. That key role cannot be delivered without a dedicated unit. Can it?