Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I do not think I can agree with Deputy Geoghegan on Europe being a shining light of the application of the rule of law but that is not for now. I understand there is uncertainty. I have read the ESRI report on how it will affect our exports and jobs. It is all being debated here this morning. I have listened to the debate and I have heard what the Minister has said. Long term we absolutely need to diversify. Obviously we need diplomatic efforts now, and we need various steps, but in the medium to long term we need to diversify our economy. We have been warned for a very long time about the urgent need to do this. Coming from Galway city I am acutely aware of the value of the big pharmaceutical and medical devices companies based there, with almost 12,000 people working in them. They have significant implications for the city in terms of spending power. We need to diversify. We need to put a big emphasis on indigenous industries.

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