Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)

Priority needs to be given to job creation. Few new industrial jobs have been created in the region in the past three years by the various State agencies. I agree with the recommendation put forward that a high-powered mid-west response unit should be established to address the region's alarming unemployment problem. A temporary derogation to permit Objective One status should be sought to encourage and to stimulate foreign direct investment in the region.

One of the statements made by Denis Brosnan was that doing nothing is not an option. Doing nothing has been the modus operandi of this Government but that is no longer an option. Let today's debate be a kick-start for the recovery of the mid-west region. Let today mark the start of a determined effort by Government to stop the haemorrhage of jobs. Let it also be the day Government commits to implementing the recommendations of this report as a means of helping the mid west to realise its full potential.

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