Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)

It is not just a matter of identifying a set of metrics from 2007 to 2010. We need to consider the problem from a qualitative point of view. We cannot just extrapolate from the rate of investment by IDA Ireland or Enterprise Ireland and say that in monetary terms, the south east has not benefited, because other regions have the same claim, in real terms. We can say that the larger urban areas such as Cork, Dublin and Galway have a disproportionately high rate of inward investment in the form of IDA projects, but we also need to consider human capital, soft skills and the relationships among stakeholders. There is now a model, sponsored by the Minister, Deputy Bruton, to deal with this. It is not that I am being defensive. If we are debating an issue, we need to set out the parameters for that debate. We must have due regard to the fact that all of the stakeholders want to drive this on. In fairness to all political entities, they also want to drive this on. If it needs to be critiqued, we are open to that. However, it is not just a question of investment by the IDA, although that is one aspect of it. It is a question, also, of ensuring that we can deliver on education. Senator Cullinane will be aware of my commitment to the Telecommunications Software & Systems Group, TSSG, which is, as far as I am concerned, a beacon for the region. We need to mine more of that intellectual development and human capital. Inch by inch, that is what will restore the region so that we have a level playing field. I have listened to the points that were made. We are not going to be complacent about this. We have a job to do.