Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am only answering the questions I was asked. Its number one priority is to win jobs for Ireland. Governments have intervened and asked it to create a regional balance, with 50% of the jobs created outside the major cities. We do not always achieve that every year but there is some good progress being made. It also has to win jobs for the country as a whole and it is quite successful at that. Many Governments composed of different parties have been involved in that process. IDA Ireland has had some of its best years in the last couple of years. We have to work with it to make sure there is a spread of those jobs. It goes back to the question of why. Deputy Fitzmaurice said it. We cannot take someone by the lug and make them locate a business in a certain area. We have to encourage people and work with the local authorities. I have seen how different local authorities have strengthened their relationships with IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and so on, and have developed economic strategies and won investment as a result. It is important to encourage local authorities, which are now leading economic development in their areas, to work with the agencies and produce plans. I have seen the plan for Portlaoise and have no doubt it will win investment and help IDA Ireland to bring jobs there. Without that plan, we will not get those jobs there. That is why we have the national planning framework.