Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank the Acting Chairman.

I disagree with the Minister. We have spent very badly in the Gaeltacht with regard to the amount invested and jobs created. A number of years ago, a US company based in my constituency contacted Údarás to state it was withdrawing jobs. Taxpayers' money was given to that company and it was allowed to keep that money to run on until after a general election took place. That money was never paid back to the State. I would say an agreement was reached between that company and Údarás.

Call centres do not represent sustainable jobs. What we need are new ideas and new thinking. The Minister should not forget we have very good people in the Gaeltacht areas and in every county in the country there are people who are prepared to invest in the Gaeltacht. As they are Irish they are not given the same opportunities as some of the US companies which we think will be great but which last a very short time. We need to encourage our native citizens to invest in the Gaeltacht areas.

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