Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I referred to Cork because Question No. 65 relates to job losses at Schering Plough near Bandon.

A Japanese pharmaceuticals company, Takeda Chemical Industries, has also begun construction in Clondalkin and will employ 50 people. A number of projects at Citywest are providing locally accessible employment opportunities for people in Clondalkin.

The existing base of overseas companies in Carlow consists of five firms, which employ almost 1,000 people. In addition, IDA Ireland has committed investment of €11.5 million to the development of Carlow business and technology park. Enterprise Ireland and the Carlow county enterprise board are similarly committed to the development of industry in Carlow.

Job losses and gains have always been and will continue to be part of the economic landscape. It is important to stress that Ireland's unemployment rate is among the lowest in Europe. The industrial development agencies are undertaking investment promotion activities to generate new flows of foreign direct investment into Ireland, while developing the indigenous industrial base. They are working to identify and support new investment opportunities from existing client bases. Ireland needs to maximise investment from growth sectors such as the medical devices sector. It is also important to maintain and improve the competitiveness of companies and to enhance their capacity for investment and employment creation. I am satisfied that the combined effort of the industrial development agencies, along with the involvement of local business and community interests, will be sufficient to address the job needs of the country in general.

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