Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy should acknowledge that the percentage of this country's jobs created in the BMW region increased from 25% to 48% over the period of the plan, which is a little more than half-way through. It will be possible to achieve a much better spread if the agencies continue to pursue the policies they are pursuing at present. There is a fairly widespread understanding of the need to spread the development of industry and other matters. The Government has made a commitment in that regard. The Deputy also asked about natural gas and Knock Airport, which are matters for the Ministers for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and Transport, respectively. The agencies have delivered more jobs to the BMW region, under the guidance of the Government, since the focus was more clearly placed on delivering jobs in the region.

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