I echo the comments of my constituency colleague, Deputy Shanahan, in terms of the approach he outlined to a task force for the area.

There is no doubt, notwithstanding the urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, and the technological university for the south east Ireland, TUSE, that the south east is lagging behind other parts of the country by any economic indicator, more or less.

I raise the issue of the employment law review that was promised for March of this year, to be jointly undertaken by the Departments of Justice and Enterprise, Trade and Employment and led by the Minister of State, Deputy Troy. We have seen a sea change in the world of work during the course of the pandemic, in particular, the explosion of remote working, which will hopefully move to a blended working model. We have also seen an expansion of platform working, the most visible sign of that being delivery workers. Our employment law is lagging behind. It is essential that we bring it up to date and make it fit for purpose for a post-pandemic era. Where are we in terms of progress on that?

Proposals are being worked on with regard to that issue. My understanding is that something similar to the company law review process, which was established many years ago and has proven to be very effective in the area of ongoing company law review, may be developed in respect of employment law review. I will revert to the Deputy with more substantive information and details on that. The point he makes is very fair.

I agree with the Deputy's point that we must go over and above measures to redress the imbalance in economic and social development in the south east. The only issue is around the best mechanisms and models to work through to achieve that objective.