Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I remind the committee that the Monksland project, which has been mentioned by Deputy Niall Collins, was commenced by Roscommon County Council 37 years ago. It was very small, but it has grown significantly. The Minister spoke about increasing the links between the local authorities and IDA Ireland. The north Roscommon area, which Mr. Shanahan knows pretty well, could do with a development like that in Monksland. It was commenced by Roscommon County Council and it has been a tremendous success. I acknowledge that pharmaceutical companies like Jazz have set up there recently, which is tremendous. I have to mention that Monksland will be staying in County Roscommon and not going into County Westmeath. I am being somewhat parochial.

Everyone in business accepts that Galway city is bursting at the seams. Ballinasloe, which is a few miles out the road, has been completely neglected. I wonder what level of focus IDA Ireland has on it. I remind the committee that companies like AT Cross, Dubarry and Glan Agua have moved out of the town. There was a major rendering plant there as well. I am not exaggerating when I say that more than 2,000 jobs were lost in a town with a population of 7,000. Ballinasloe has the spaces, the community and the will to work with IDA Ireland. Why is there no emphasis on places like Ballinasloe, particularly in light of the outrageous situation in Galway city? I am sure Mr. Shanahan is aware that getting space in Galway city is a big problem. Why are people not being attracted out to places like Ballinasloe?

I heard the answer that was given to Deputy Niall Collins when he made the case for this activity being spread out. Many of the people who contact IDA Ireland about setting up in Ireland do not know where Roscommon, Galway or Sligo are. Surely IDA Ireland has a role in telling them that it will take them to such locations. The Roscommon-Galway region has Athlone Institute of Technology on one side and Institute of Technology, Sligo on the other side. There is a university and an institute of technology in Galway city. County Roscommon has one of the highest numbers of graduates per capitaof any county in the country. The workforce is there. People can be taken from the region. There are no housing issues. The people are there. Other people will come back to work in the region. I am not happy about the lack of focus on parts of counties Roscommon, Galway, Leitrim and Longford. This area needs to be re-examined with a new focus. The people and the local authorities are willing to work with IDA Ireland to get jobs into this area. I acknowledge that the Minister, who is a good Minister in any role she has, and Mr. Shanahan will work to bring jobs to this region. We need to focus on getting jobs into the area. It is very frustrating for people.