Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

One of the significant issues for the financial services sector is increased competition from other financial centres across Europe and the world. There is a sense that for the strategic direction of the IFSC, the nature of its activities will have to change over time. More higher end functions and activities will have to be attracted. There is also a certain vulnerability in the job content at the centre, particularly the number of back office operations which could move elsewhere given the competition. Strategically looking ahead, our objective must be to attract higher end activities into the sector, just as we did in the life sciences, technology and ICT.

Will the Taoiseach comment on this and indicate any concerted outcomes of the recent meetings in driving that agenda forward?

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