[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "what%20is%20the%20percentage%20of%20vegetables%20that%20are%20imported%20into%20Ireland%20each%20year"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here are some recent figures on how much of the vegetables consumed in Ireland are imported, along with sources:\n\n---\n\n### Key Figures\n\n- Ireland is **about 60% self-sufficient** in vegetables. This means roughly **40% of vegetables consumed in Ireland are imported**. ([teagasc.ie](https://teagasc.ie/wp-content/uploads/media/website/rural-economy/rural-development/diversification/6-Field-Vegetable-Production.pdf?utm_source=openai))  \n- When considering fresh fruit and vegetables together, the import share is higher: about **83% of Ireland\u2019s fruit & vegetables are imported**. ([hannontransport.com](https://hannontransport.com/2024/05/28/irish-fruit-vegetable-imports-2023/?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\nIf you meant a more specific category (like for organic vegetables, certain types of vegetables, or fresh vs processed), I can pull up those numbers too."
    },
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "what%20percentage%20of%20fruit%20and%20veg%20is%20imported%20into%20the%20uk%20each%20year"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "In the UK, about **65%** of fruit and vegetables are imported annually, meaning the country produces around **35%** of its fruit and vegetable supply domestically. ([foodfoundation.org.uk](https://foodfoundation.org.uk/sites/default/files/2024-11/SHEFS_Fruit-and-Veg-Briefing-1-FINAL.pdf?utm_source=openai))\n\nIf you're interested in separate figures for fruit and for vegetables, or how that breaks down by season, I can pull those numbers too."
    },
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "is%20there%20data%20to%20show%20that%20people%20are%20working%20longer%20since%20working%20remotely%20and%20spending%20less%20time%20out%20of%20doors"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "There *is* emerging evidence suggesting people working remotely are often working longer hours and spending more time indoors (or sedentary) compared to before remote work became widespread. The picture is nuanced, and impacts vary by sector, country, and work arrangement (fully remote vs hybrid). Below are some of the key findings:\n\n---\n\n### Working Longer Hours\n\n1. **Remote working means longer hours, not higher efficiency**  \n   A 2021 report by the University of Essex found that when companies shifted to remote working, employees\u2019 working hours increased, but this didn't translate into greater efficiency. ([essex.ac.uk](https://www.essex.ac.uk/news/2021/06/16/remote-working-means-longer-hours-not-higher-efficiency?utm_source=openai))\n\n2. **Internal communications and work span increases**  \n   A Microsoft-based study showed remote work led to more emails and fewer real-time calls. Workdays stretched in terms of calendar span\u2014with work creeping into earlier and later in the day. ([nature.com](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02496-5?utm_source=openai))\n\n3. **Time gained from commuting often turned into working hours**  \n   According to meta-analyses, remote workers skip about an hour of commuting daily, but often spend 18\u201348 minutes more working than they would in an office setup. This adds up significantly over time. ([rstreet.org](https://www.rstreet.org/research/on-working-from-home/?utm_source=openai))\n\n4. **Overtime and blurred work-life boundaries in the UK**  \n   A 2025 survey of UK workers showed that 71% regularly work outside their scheduled hours. ([startups.co.uk](https://startups.co.uk/news/overtime-new-normal/?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n### Spending Less Time Outdoors or Being Active\n\n1. **More sedentary behavior at home**  \n   Research from the UVic\u2013UCC in Europe found that hybrid workers spend significantly more time sitting when working from home. They also experience longer continuous periods of sitting without breaks compared to office days. ([uvic.cat](https://www.uvic.cat/en/news/workers-spend-more-time-seated-and-for-longer-periods-of-time-when-working-from-home-than?utm_source=openai))\n\n2. **Reduced interactions and fewer reasons to leave home**  \n   Remote work means fewer real-time interactions, fewer transitions like commuting, fewer trips to get lunch, etc. This lowers incidental movement and likely reduces time spent outdoors. ([nature.com](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02496-5?utm_source=openai))\n\n3. **Changes in time-use toward indoors and screens**  \n   U.S. labor force studies suggest remote-capable workers increased their leisure time but also spent less of that time being physically active or being outside. ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/dpr/working-papers/how-did-the-remote-work-revolution-change-our-work-and-leisure-time.pdf?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n### Things It Depends On: Caveats and Context\n\n- **Hybrid vs Fully Remote**: Many studies indicate hybrid models (some days in office, some remote) show less extreme changes in work hours and more opportunities to get outside or move around. ([uvic.cat](https://www.uvic.cat/en/news/workers-spend-more-time-seated-and-for-longer-periods-of-time-when-working-from-home-than?utm_source=openai))  \n- **Individual and job-type differences**: Single adults, those without caregiving responsibilities, or people in highly remote-capable jobs show different patterns than those with children or less-flexible job demands. ([gallup.com](https://www.gallup.com/workplace/693539/remote-staff-hours-fall-productivity-steady.aspx?utm_source=openai))  \n- **Geographic and cultural factors**: Country and culture influence how much people work while remote and how much they value and pursue outdoor time. For example, office norms may push some remote workers at international firms to \u201calways be on.\u201d ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/08/04/remote-work-longer-days/?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n### Bottom Line\n\nYes \u2014 data supports that for many people, remote work has led to:\n\n- Longer working days or at least longer spans of time in which work is \u201con\u201d  \n- Increased time spent sitting and indoors  \n- Potential declines in spontaneous outdoor movement tied to commuting, running errands, or socializing outside the home\n\nBut it's not universal. Many remote or hybrid arrangements also offer benefits like more flexible scheduling, reduced commute times, and opportunities for getting outside if individuals prioritize them.\n\nIf you like, I can pull up recent quantitative data from multiple countries to compare how strongly this trend shows up (e.g. average workday length increases, time spent outdoors before vs after remote adoption)."
    }
]