Mr. Martin Shanahan:

There has been investment in the midlands. The Chairman is correct in pointing out that Athlone has been particularly successful to date, but there have been other investments outside it. In the first half of the year Nexvet Biopharma moved into Tullamore and there have been some very strong existing clients such as Medtronic Covidien and so on.

The number of site visits to the counties mentioned by the Chairman has increased to date as a result of IDA Ireland's focus on the regions. I understand that if one is in Laois or Offaly, progress in Westmeath may not be relevant, but progress in Westmeath and Athlone means that a cluster is being built and that we can use it as a reference point to sell, which is important. As an agency, IDA Ireland's single biggest tool is being able to point to existing investment, people who have already made investments and are operating successfully and building out. I assure the Chairman that IDA Ireland will focus on Laois-Offaly, as we do on other counties. We are at the start of a five year strategy and this is the first time IDA Ireland has set regional targets. I have outlined the list of activities undertaken to underpin the regional strategy and as they take effect, I am sure we will see success in the counties mentioned.