Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

However, she set up a dedicated task force to deal with the difficulties experienced by the latter region. I compliment the members of the task force, including its chairman, Mr. Denis Brosnan, who have done an excellent job.

One of the Government's key initiatives during the past 12 months was to make an application to the European Globalisation Fund. That application was successful and funding has been made available. The Tánaiste and the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, have been working flat out since the beginning of the year to ensure that funding is distributed in accordance with the terms laid down by the European Globalisation Fund. Those terms include allowing former employees to access such funding in order to upskill and retrain.

I urge the Tánaiste and FÁS, which is the co-ordinating body, to allow private companies to provide training and support to former employees. Not all employees are interested in going on to third level education or in furthering their education. Some of them want to become involved in business and create jobs. It is important, therefore, that money be made available for start-up micro-enterprises.

Shannon Development and IDA Ireland must work closely together in order to attract both employment and foreign direct investment. I welcome the Tánaiste's announcement that IDA Ireland's new strategy will place a particular focus on Limerick and the mid-west. The Lynx Cargo project is extremely important for Shannon and the mid-west region. I have being pressing the Tánaiste and the Minister for Transport to provide every support possible in order to ensure that the project will come to fruition. The project to which I refer would provide a great boost for the airport similar to that which will come as a result of this morning's announcement that Shannon Airport has been granted preclearance in respect of general aviation - in other words, flights involving private jets - to the United States.

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