Ms Mary Buckley:

We have a large number of companies in Westmeath. We have approximately 17 client companies there. They employ close to 3,000 people across a good range of sectors. The pharmaceuticals sector there is very strong. There are a cluster of pharmaceutical companies. We also have a very good tech company, a very strong player, Ericsson. We have won a number of investments in recent times. We recently constructed a building. Aerie Pharmaceuticals, a brand-new company, has located in Athlone.

My organisation would love to be able to deliver clients to every location in the country but we are challenged. It goes back to the question of requirements. I mentioned earlier the critical nature of third level education. It is a question of having some scale behind the activities. The talent piece is critical.

Senator Davitt referred to the park in Mullingar. We would be very happy to welcome indigenous companies there. We work very closely with Mr. Kevin Sherry and the Enterprise Ireland team in that regard. It is part of our property remit to have land available for indigenous clients. Enterprise Ireland clients have access to our parks. The relationship between both agencies works very well.