Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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I know Deputy Boyd Barrett wants to come in but I will ask a few quick questions first. I wish to talk a little about the regional uplift. Because it is possible to watch back past meetings of the committee, I am not spilling any secrets when I say that many members of the committee were favourably disposed to the notion of regional uplift and can see its value. Part of the discussion around section 481 is that we could create a kind of ecosystem within Ireland of professionals and people who are particularly able in this area. I presume that is on a regional basis as well as a national basis. The ecosystem will not only be for Ireland as a whole but will be split into sections. There might be separate sections for the west and east. If the committee is considering the topic, could there a new generation of regional uplift? Could it be finessed to be more conducive to, and supportive of, the idea of a regional ecosystem of film expertise? Someone living in Spiddal or Cork might be attractive, through Government support, to a production company because that person lives in that area. It is not just that there would be regional uplift in activity in an area but that people in that area would also be employed. Is there a way of making the regional uplift more effective in creating that ecosystem?