Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to follow on from some of my colleagues today in saying that multinational companies have many positive things. I do not think that many people - there are certainly very few in Clonmel - who would speak negatively about the role that multinationals play in security of employment, as well as what they give back to the community. At the moment, we have a development with which the IDA might be familiar close to Ballingarrane of a new sports hub. It is being built with support from the Government, as well as by significant financial support from multinationals such as Boston Scientific and Abbot. They also do a lot of work in supporting charity organisations in Clonmel in yearly funding. The employees lead on this on behalf of the companies.

That touches on one point on which I wanted to focus, which is about companies that are already based here and that are looking to expand. I would be interested in getting the IDA’s perspective on this. There seems to be a higher demand from employees going into a workforce. If company like Abbott or Boston Scientific is looking to increase its workforce in Clonmel by 50 or 100 people, the person who is going for employment will not only ask about his or her salary, pay and conditions, he or she will also ask about the town, the region and how that area can support that person and his or her family. That is one of the reasons that a number of the companies are supporting the sports hub in the area, which has an international athletics track and sports facility. Is it the IDA’s view that there seems to be a change in what employees are looking for? Have companies had to change their tack? The salaries are obviously very good. The average salary of €61,000 for those working in an FDI company is good. However, it seems that employees are looking for much more than that nowadays. Where does the IDA see that going into future?

I will go back to Ballingarrane site by noting the general region where I am from, like others, has the road infrastructure of the N24 from Limerick to Waterford. There is a redevelopment and design process under way at the moment of that road project. One of its sections has been taken off. While it was on the national development plan, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, decided before Christmas that one of its sections, namely, the Cahir to Waterford piece, is not to be continued in 2022. In the view of the IDA, does it strengthen its argument in respect of the Ballingarrane site or anywhere in the south-east region if there is a proper, improved road network between the two major cities of Limerick and Waterford? This connects Shannon Airport to Rosslare. It seems obvious to me that from a strategic point of view for the IDA, as well as for any business coming into the region, having a good infrastructure network between two major cities is a key selling point to bring them to the region. Is it the IDA’s view that it would be easier to bring companies to the south-east region, in particular to Clonmel and County Tipperary, were this road infrastructure to be continued?