Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for his reply. I was present last year when he officially opened the Ennis Information Age Park. Regarding the potential for 3,500 jobs, the first phase cost Shannon Development approximately €11 million. Does the Minister think the creation of only 20 jobs in the first year is a very poor return for an investment of €11 million?

Has confusion over who is involved when it comes to enterprise activities in Clare led to a downward trend in job creation in Ennis and surrounding areas? Will the Minister assure me that, on switching Shannon Development's enterprise functions to IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, they will be able to attract more indigenous and foreign investment industry?

Approximately 4,500 people leave Ennis and its surrounding areas every day to commute to Limerick and Shannon. Ennis is becoming a dormitory town. Approximately 570 jobs were lost between 1999 and 2005. Organic Lenses and Monster Cables created approximately 100 and 50 jobs respectively. Will the Minister elaborate on the role of Enterprise Ireland in attracting industry to Ennis Information Age Park? Does he agree that IDA Ireland's performance in Ennis was very poor? Does the Minister believe it is value for money to spend €11 million to create 20 jobs in 12 months while there is potential for 3,500 jobs?

See this speech in context