Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Through Shannon Development, we have also facilitated the establishment and growth of both indigenous and FDI companies. Shannon Development has extensive industrial property available in 57 separate regional locations.

Concerning the national technology park, NTP, in Limerick, it has appointed consultants to audit the existing infrastructure and to carry out preliminary design work on appropriate layouts, budget estimates and timelines for the further development of the NTP into a more strategic site for the attraction of industrial investment from Irish and foreign companies.

IDA Ireland is currently finalising a new strategy for the coming decade, with a particular focus on the period 2010 to 2014. I wish to advise the House that the broader Limerick area and the region will be a particular focus of attention and will be mentioned specifically in the context of that strategy which I shall publish later next month. That is very much a target. I spoke about the region as a whole because it includes not only Limerick city but the environs, which were affected also.

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