Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

I acknowledge the support of Cabinet colleagues. The Minister for Social Protection responded immediately and staff from the Department have been in Talk Talk during the week and, indeed, were there last week. The Minister for Education and Skills also responded immediately and the support of FÁS for the workers is in place. In addition, the Minister for Education and Skills indicated that work on the proposal for a technological university, which is to be explored as part of the programme for Government, is being accelerated. Clear criteria will be developed for that opportunity, which arose in discussions. We need immediate action in the enterprise domain, but I also recognise that this assessment of strengths and weaknesses will throw up issues that are relevant for other Departments. On foot of that, I will bring to the attention of other Departments areas of action that have the potential to assist.

I accept that IDA Ireland has been meeting its target for 50% of activity outside Dublin but, for whatever reason, Waterford has not been doing as well as other regions outside the capital. I acknowledge there is an issue as to why Waterford, despite its offerings - and it has significant strengths - is not performing as well. That is why it is important to examine this matter to see what items we can correct in the short term to enhance that performance. It is our ambition to see Waterford doing better both from overseas investment and indigenous companies. We need to create an engine of indigenous growth in this country. Some 14 years after being in the Department, I am disappointed to see that the indigenous sector's contribution to our exports has not been enhanced in that time. We must re-examine the weaknesses in that regard.

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