Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

I am speaking for four minutes so I have another minute. I thank the Acting Chairman.

Another issue is that of promotion of the Limerick region. Of the €53 million tourism and economic development plan, only €6 million has been dedicated to this, in the form of funding for the Limerick-Shannon gateway. The report recommends that such funding should be provided and there should be a proper marketing strategy.

How will the European Globalisation Fund work in practice? This is a fund of €23 million, consisting of €8 million of taxpayers' money from the Irish Government and €15 million from the EU. When will it be fully up and running and how can it be accessed? This is a key issue for people who want to become entrepreneurs.

I want to hear good news from the Minister. What we want is action. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment says she will not resource the implementation of the report's recommendations. That must change. The mid-west has become the forgotten region; this must no longer be the case. I want the Minister of State to tell the House that the recommendations of the report will be implemented, that Limerick and the mid-west will be the number one priority for foreign direct investment, that jobs will be created and that the globalisation fund will be accessible.

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