Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

Shannon Development has set up the Plassey Enterprise Centre, giving indigenous companies the opportunity to develop and link with the University of Limerick. There is room for considerable development around that area. The riverbank could also be developed, a project in which Shannon Development has been involved. I hope it continues to be a company that directs matters in the mid west. The Minister of State should clarify what the Government expects the authority to do.

He should also be more specific in his reference to the company's strategic role on the broader regional economic development of the Shannon region. Its role was quite specific in that area and its role is quite specific in other areas. The worst case scenario is that the mid-west falls between two stools, with uncertainty about the roles of Shannon Development, Enterprise Ireland and the IDA.

I commend the staff at Shannon Development and support this Bill with the proviso that the Minister must ensure appropriate levels of resources for SFADCO to continue its work.

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