Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his comments. I know that this matter is close to the Acting Chairman's heart. My amendment seeks to provide an enhanced tax relief for job creation in the midland counties that have been directly impacted by the cessation of turf cutting. Those counties include Roscommon, Galway - the eastern part - Longford, Offaly, Westmeath and Laois. The EII should probably be examined.

I accept that the current scheme is a broad one covering the whole country but I believe we should consider making a separate State aid application in respect of the affected counties in light of the significant employment losses they face. Effectively, the Dublin equivalent of the decision being made in the midland counties would be Google deciding tomorrow morning to pull out of Dublin lock, stock and barrel. That is the scale of the impact across the middle of the country. The big difficulty is that if Google moved out of Dublin tomorrow morning, alternative enterprises would come in to fill the void very quickly. This is not the case across the midland counties.

We recognise the challenges in attracting foreign direct investment to our region, including its towns. The best way we can support the indigenous economy is to support existing businesses in expanding and encourage start-up businesses to locate in our counties. We face 2,000 direct job losses in 33 days time. The PSO for Lough Ree Power will expire on 9 December and it will expire on 31 December for west Offaly power stations. Approximately 2,000 indirect jobs across the midland counties will be affected.

I accept the Government's support and investment. I publicly welcome it and thank the Minister for his engagement in that regard. The reality, however, is that the State will never be able to put in resources at the scale needed to compensate for the job losses. While we can provide incentives and create the necessary environment, and while the fund being put in place to provide the required seed capital is very welcome, the reality is that we need to deliberately encourage private sector investment across the counties. The only way we can ensure that investment takes place in our region, rather than in the congested Dublin area, is to put some type of incentive in place. As the Minister knows, the region has been accepted as part of the EU coal regions. It is receiving a special designation and recognition at EU level. From my engagement with the Commission and having been a member of the Council of Ministers, I am aware that there is a sympathetic view of and approach to the coal regions and the peat region in Ireland. I accept there cannot be a major differential in supports in various parts of the country but I seek small alterations to the EII that would ensure an investor considering where to invest would actually think of the midland counties first. I refer to supporting indigenous local businesses first rather than adding fuel to the economic fire in Dublin. This could help to provide some of the counterbalance needed away from the city of Dublin because of its housing and congestion problems and commuting challenges.

Within the taxation system, we need to acknowledge the challenges faced across the midlands in replacing the jobs about to be lost in Bord na Móna and in addressing the longer-term impact on existing businesses. There is a need to ensure that we provide jobs not only for those in Bord na Móna today but also for the next generation. Taking action in this regard could result in some emigrants from the region coming back and taking up a job if it becomes available, or perhaps starting their own businesses. A small alteration to the EII would be very positive. What I am looking for is a report. A report is needed on some types of taxation supports that would encourage private investment in the midland peat counties. I am open to suggestions but it is important to consider a unique taxation approach.