Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for facilitating me in raising this matter on the Adjournment tonight. Perhaps the Ceann Comhairle will inform me when I have one minute remaining.

The mid-west task force was established by Government in February of this year to consider and make recommendations in regard to the implications of the serious economic downturn on the mid-west, which was added to by the decision of Dell to end manufacturing in Limerick, and in response to calls from many Deputies on the Opposition side.

I, along with other public representatives, expressed the importance of ensuring that the task force, when established, be more than a cosmetic exercise. I was concerned that it would end up as another Government talk shop with no action on the real issues. Some four months later, following publication by the chairman, Mr. Denis Brosnan, of the task force's interim report, no action has been taken. Last week, the Tánaiste, when in Limerick, commented that the recommendations of the interim report would not be implemented. This announcement has set back the region yet again.

The task force is about to enter stage two of its work and the Government is dithering about what to do with the initial findings, which is absolutely disgraceful. It begs the questions, why was the task force established and what is the Government prepared to do in response to its findings and recommendations. The chairman of the task force has warned that the mid-west region could be faced with an unemployment rate of 20% by end 2010 if his report is not responded to by Government. This stark warning was given by Mr. Brosnan in response to a letter I wrote to him.

The mid-west is experiencing a severe economic downturn. It has gone through a poor tourism season, coupled with weekly job losses across Counties Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary. There is no justification for Government sitting on this report. If its recommendations are implemented, the economic carnage being experienced by the mid-west region will cease. The interim report gives an economic overview of the mid-west region and sets out the issues relating to cost competitiveness, how to tackle growing unemployment, the need to accelerate infrastructural projects, education and training. It also deals with enterprise and tourism in the region. The task force has met with and received presentations from 24 groups representing the major stakeholders and interest groups responsible for economic development in the region. The recommendations put forward in this report need to be implemented because they are critical.

The report makes approximately 20 recommendations which are a roadmap to address the economic situation in which we find ourselves. They relate to issues such as competitiveness and point out that Ireland has lost 32% in the international price competitive league.

While this is a national issue, the mid-west relies heavily on manufacturing, construction and tourism. In response to calls for a national competitive strategy, the report recommends employment subsidies, a reduction in employers' PRSI, and credit for corporation tax paid; it also points out the need to encourage people to stay in education or return to education for retraining and skills development. It identifies the necessity of funding the infrastructure to enable the establishment of a linked cargo facility at Shannon Airport and the urgent need for a marketing strategy for the airport. It also points out the potential of the region to develop the Shannon Estuary as an alternative renewable energy hub. There are many other recommendations, including the need to prioritise foreign direct investment in the region by the IDA.

For four months this report has been passed from Department to Department. We now need a commitment from Government that its recommendations will be implemented in a timely fashion. The implementation of all recommendations is critical for the survival of our region. Either the Government is committed to the mid-west or it is not. I call on the Government to implement all the recommendations in full and to put the necessary plans and funding in place as a matter of urgency.

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