Mr. Paddy McGuinness:

I thank the Vice Chairman and members of the joint committee for their invitation and affording me the opportunity to outline my vision for the Western Development Commission, the challenges and priorities that I see for the organisation and the strategies I hope will realise these goals. In this regard, it might be helpful to say a few words about the background to the setting up of the commission, its status and structure, the composition of the current board and existing and ongoing goals and to list briefly some of the commission's achievements since its establishment.

The Western Development Commission was set up following intense public pressure and concern about serious economic and social decline in western counties during the 1980s and early 1990s. It is a statutory body established under the Western Development Commission Act 1998 and mandated to promote the economic and social development of the seven counties of the western region, namely, Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Mayo, Galway and Clare. It currently has ten members whose names are listed in the pack provided. It is serviced by an executive staff of 12 operating out of offices in Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon and functions under the auspices of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.

The strategic goals of the organisation are to contribute to balanced regional development by ensuring the western region maximises its full potential for economic and social development; to promote the benefits of living, working and doing business in the western region; to support the sustainable economic and social development of the rural economy; and to provide risk capital for SMEs and social enterprises. Some of the more notable examples of work done to date by the commission are listed in the appendices under appropriate headings. Also included in the presentation pack are copies of recent reports and presentations.

To give an overview of the current position, the region has made significant economic and social progress since the establishment of the commission. That is not to say the commission is responsible for this progress; however, much of it was built on the growth of sectors now severely hit by the economic downturn, for example, the construction industry, the retail sector, other locally traded services and the public sector. The employment and population gains of the past decade and the potential to build on what has been achieved will be undermined unless there is a continued strategic focus on the region. In recent times substantial infrastructural improvements have been made, for example, the M6 to Galway, the strengthening of the electricity grid, greater access to broadband in rural areas, although much work remains to be done, and the first phase of the western rail corridor. However, a great deal more needs to be done if enterprises in the western region are to operate on a level playing field with enterprises in other regions and if the region is to be attractive to investors and highly skilled workers. This is the key to the region realising its full potential to achieve growth and job creation. In this, the commission has strived to identify the western region not only as a key resource for Ireland but also a critical asset as a bountiful region on the periphery of Europe, with untapped resources unique to the location and landscape in areas such as renewable energy, tourism and the creative economy.

The west still requires targeted support to maximise its employment potential and contribution to the national economy. If the potential of lagging regions is not harnessed for the benefit of the national economy, there will be a waste of talent and opportunities and it will reduce overall national economic performance. Regional development is not a zero sum game; growth in one region does not have to be at the expense of another. Improvements in physical infrastructure generate productivity gains for local businesses and increase the attractiveness of an area for investment and tourism. Access to quality road, rail and international air services, broadband and energy resources plays a crucial part in positioning the west within a modern global economy. In a higher value, more knowledge based economy the efficient movement of people, knowledge and information is essential. Improvements in infrastructure alone, however, will not be enough to unlock the west's potential for the national good. The OECD has found that human capital is even more important than infrastructure as a determinant of regional performance.

I am deeply honoured to have been nominated by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, as chairman designate of the Western Development Commission. More importantly, as I took the invitation literally and was under the impression that the committee could veto my appointment, I am here to try to convince members that I am suitable for the job.

I see it as a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is to lead the organisation towards making the region a better place in which to live, work and relax. The opportunity is to work with a competent board and a committed staff in a united and determined effort for the attainment of those goals. I am particularly conscious of the current strains on the public finances and of the need to avoid waste through the duplication of work of other organisations. I will be keen to foster co-operation and will strive to work in collaboration with the public, private and voluntary sectors to focus on the needs of the west. The €1.2 million regional tourism marketing programme co-ordinated by the WDC and funded through a consortia of Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and five regional local authorities has, during its first year, enabled local communities to contribute to the direct marketing of the region internationally.

I will now provide some personal information, although only the positive bits. Members may have read negative comment about me in the newspapers. I am a friend of the Taoiseach, which in certain sectors appears to be a crime. I was born in 1945 and lived until I was 16 years old in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan. There I received my primary and secondary education at the local Patrician Brothers schools. In 1961, I was successful in a Civil Service examination to become a post office clerk and was sent to Ballina for training. I subsequently served in Ballina, Greystones and Castlebar. During my time with the post office, I served at local and national level on the national executive of the Post Office Officials Association. The following sentence is for the benefit of Deputy Flanagan. The general secretary of the union at the time was former Deputy and Senator Mr. Jack McQuillan from Roscommon, who was one of the finest men with whom I worked during my 68 years.

In 1975, I resigned from the post office and opened a retail shop in Castlebar selling paint, wallpaper and DIY products. During the following five years, I opened further shops in Ballina, Westport and Claremorris. In 1990, I formed a buying and marketing group for similar type shops. Today, this chain, named Albany Home Decor, has outlets in 32 towns across Ireland and employes 157 people. In 2003, I passed the day-to-day running of the business to my son, Seán. Outside of work I have always been involved in voluntary community work and have served on boards and committees of many organisations, including Castlebar Chamber of Commerce, of which I was president in 1980. I was director of the Castlebar International Song Contest from 1975 to 1977 and again in 1981, 1983 and 1988. I founded the Castlebar Community Development Association which played a large part in reversing a decision to close Travenol Laboratories, now Baxter Laboratories. I also served on the boards of Castlebar-Mitchels GAA Club, Western Care Association, Council for the West and the National University of Ireland, Galway.

At political level I served as an independent councillor on Castlebar Town Council from 1985 to 1999 and had the privilege of being its Cathaoirleach in 1985 and 1999. I served for one term on Mayo County Council from 2004 to 2009 as a member of the Fine Gael Party. I am perhaps best known for having spearheaded an 18 year campaign for the provision of third level education in Mayo, which culminated in the establishment of GMIT, Castlebar, which now caters for almost 1,000 students from almost every county in the country. As part of that campaign, I stood as an independent candidate for election to Dáil Éireann during the by-election of 1994. For this I can be credited, or blamed, for the election of the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ring, as the transfer of the bulk of my 6,275 went to the Westport candidate.

In terms of relaxation, I do a great deal of hill walking and am interested in all types of sports, although nowadays as a spectator only. My hill walking is restricted owing to plantar fasciitis in my heels. Socially, I enjoy a glass or two of good single malt whiskey. Perhaps it will cure my heel problem.

I thank the joint committee members for their attention. Should the joint committee agree to support the proposal of the Minister, Deputy Hogan, to appoint me to the position, I promise to apply myself to the task to the best of my ability. I will do my best to answer questions which members may wish to ask, although they will understand I am not au fait with every detail of the commission's work. In fact, my approach to this presentation is entirely different to that of my earlier presentation in that I believed this to be an assessment of me as a person and my commitment to the job. If my answers to questions about the commission are inadequate the Western Development Commission will be happy to appear before the joint committee at a future date for a full and more formal teasing out its workings.