Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Shanahan and the team to the committee and commend them on the work they have done over the past few years. I was delighted to be in Galway for the announcement of jobs in Phenox, which is very welcome. I acknowledge the level of job growth in the west since 2010, from 14,614 supported by IDA and associated companies up to 18,652 in 2014, which equates to some 4,040 extra jobs, or a 27.6% increase, one of the largest increases outside the Dublin area.

I understand the cost of jobs supported by the IDA has decreased from over €14,500 between 2004 and 2010 to €11,800 between 2008 and 2014. Does that reflect the downturn in the economy or improving competition? Does Mr. Shanahan have any comment on that?

I would like to repeat a question that I put to representatives of Enterprise Ireland when they were in here recently. To what extent can the increase in projects be influenced by the new approach to embassies and consulates in places like the United States and elsewhere? I refer to the sort of Ireland House initiative in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the embassies and consulates.

I would like to ask about IDA Ireland's regional facilities in the context of the allocation of an extra €21 million to the authority from the supplementary budget of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. An advanced facility in Galway is earmarked for 2017. I was surprised to hear the managing director of Phenox highlight at yesterday's announcement that it took over a year to find a suitable building in Galway. These facilities need to be expedited, certainly in my area.

I missed Deputy Calleary's comments, but I understand he touched on certain planning issues. Do the witnesses think we have unnecessary planning delays in this country, by comparison with our European counterparts? Have the companies with which they deal mentioned that they find it difficult to secure planning?

I am aware that IDA Ireland has notified Ministers about certain problems in Galway, such as the traffic issues at the Parkmore site. I understand there is a possibility of getting financing for that site. Certainly, IDA Ireland is looking for financing at that location. Has it had any consultation or engagement with the National Transport Authority regarding bus solutions at this location? Believe it or not, there is no east-west bus route that does not go through Eyre Square. It seems rather basic that there would be such a route, but it has not been delivered. What level of engagement has IDA Ireland had with the National Transport Authority? Have companies based at the Parkmore site highlighted this problem with IDA Ireland?