Ms Mary Buckley:

I mentioned earlier that our strategy is very strongly focused on winning investment in regional locations and around the country we have seen an increase in investments. Last year, of all the investments we had approved we saw an increase in the numbers going into the regions. There has been a significant number right across country. We have some very good companies in the Border region, for example, in Donegal, United Health and Pramerica which are significant employers and very good reference sellers for the regions. We have other companies in the region as well, such as State Street on the financial services side in Louth. There have been recent announcements too, such as YapStone's new office in Drogheda and an increase in the numbers employed. We had this with Kellton Tech too. There is activity in the regions. Many people would be familiar with some of the recent announcements in Limerick city: WP Engine has gone in there. Yesterday, Data Centre announced 50 new jobs in Raheen and Fazzi Healthcare announced the creation of 300 jobs. There is significant investment across the country. It is good to highlight some more, such as Agora Publishing announcing earlier in the year that it would increase its headcount, just outside Waterford. There are lots of good things happening from a foreign direct investment, FDI, perspective in the urban centres and outside. Earlier this year First Data, a financial services company announced the establishment of 300 jobs in Nenagh. Those will be good high-quality jobs. Coca-Cola is making a €26 million investment in Ballina, County Mayo.

There are very good activities taking place and we are working very hard to increase those investments across all the regions.