Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

The key point is very simple. When the Open Skies arrangement was being implemented in respect of Shannon, the tourism and economic development plan was commissioned by the then Minister for Transport, Deputy Martin Cullen. The plan has not been implemented. Of the €53 million referred to in the plan, only €6 million has been allocated to date. The funding was made available to allow Shannon deal with Open Skies. The task force report has been available for six months but there has been no action. Mr. Denis Brosnan asked Members to ask the Minister to implement a few key recommendations, at a relatively low cost to the Exchequer.

In 2009, there was a 17% drop in net employment by enterprises supported by State agencies in the mid-west. Mr. Denis Brosnan looked for a couple of key items, including the fast-tracking of urban regeneration in Limerick. While the recent announcement of €25 million in this area is welcome, it will not enable capital projects to get under way. Proper capital funding must be provided. I would like if the Minster for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government made a statement on this matter.

Mr. Brosnan also sought to have Limerick and the mid-west made into a priority region for foreign direct investment. Not one single new IDA Ireland backed job has come into the mid-west in 2009 since the Dell closure announcement. This report was commissioned on foot of that announcement. To say that the Government has looked after the mid-west region makes no sense and does not bear up to the facts.

Mr. Brosnan raised other several points. Shannon Airport runs the risk of being classified as a regional airport unless something radical is done. Only €7 million is required for the Lynx cargo project but the Dublin Airport Authority is still examining it with the Department of Transport. A commitment from the Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey, to push on this is needed. There is also the proposed bio-medical industrial park in Plassey technology park with 70 acres for Shannon Development which would cost €10 million. The two projects would only come to €17 million but bring many jobs to the region.

This is a good report but all we have got are bland statements from the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. She has not made one commitment to fund any of the individual projects raised by Mr. Brosnan.

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