Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Investment in fixed infrastructure leads ultimately to the attraction of jobs to an area and economic growth. The Deputy mentioned the information age park, which is a very significant investment for Ennis which, the Deputy will agree, will constitute a significant factor in the attraction of overseas and indigenous investment to the town. The Government's investment strategy includes the capital projects of various Departments on roads, schools and industrial parks. My Department works through development agencies such as IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, county enterprise boards, of which Clare has a very fine one, and, in the mid-west, Shannon Development. They are the vehicles through which we endeavour to attract and facilitate investment in Ennis and similar locations.

Ireland's employment statistics are the best in Europe. Our unemployment rates are the lowest at 4%. There is an incompatibility between the statistical reality of employment and some of the commentary I hear from various locations across the country.

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