Mr. William Parnell:

Deputy Nolan has spoken about issues that are outside the remit of my Department. For example, the question of the IDA is obviously a matter for the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. However, I would say that the regional action plan for the midlands region is certainly one of the tools that the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation uses to progress the issue of jobs in the midlands. Deputy Nolan mentioned the LEOs and the IDA. Enterprise Ireland has an important role to play as well. Having worked in the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation for many years, I know that far more jobs are created in rural areas by client companies of Enterprise Ireland than by IDA client companies.

There are some very good new initiatives being undertaken in the midlands. For example, the completion of the International Low Frequency Array, I-LOFAR, telescope in Birr is a really important development for the midlands region. The importance is not so much in the telescope itself, but the demand it can bring for data analytics and so on. One of the actions in the plan we were very keen to see developed was the concept of a tourism product for the midlands region. Fáilte Ireland has carried out a feasibility study, and in budget 2018 it was announced that Fáilte Ireland would receive €1 million in order to commence work on the branding of a lakelands offering. There are some good things happening there, but I appreciate a lot more can be done. We have already spoken about broadband, and we understand the issue. Again, that is a matter for the Minister, Deputy Naughten's Department. Similarly, rural transport and the report that Deputy Nolan mentioned are matters for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. The Deputy has raised issues that are of relevance to rural Ireland, on which we would like to see progress made within the action plan.