Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I want people to examine matters with a regional focus. If we cannot even consider matters with a county focus, our industrial policy will go nowhere fast strategically. County Clare has strong quality companies such as Roche, Olympus and Essidev which provide high quality jobs and are expanding. Deputy Pat Breen might be interested to know the employment in IDA Ireland companies had strong growth in 2005. It increased by 10%. It is not only about bringing in new companies. It is about increasing the range and functions of existing companies to increase employment, which happened in 2005. Clare is especially strong on pharmaceuticals and medical technologies. With progress on the Ennis bypass and the environmental impact study on the Crusheen to Gort section of the N18 which was published in February, we are also acting on infrastructural issues which are important for job creation.

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