Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)

In my initial response, I mentioned that one of the aims of the IDA Ireland strategy is for 50% of foreign direct investment projects to be located in regional gateways outside Dublin and Cork. As a Government, we need to continue to drive this approach, which clearly has a great deal of potential for Waterford and Limerick. I agree that there is a need to continuously review and update our responses to the national spatial strategy to ensure there is a focus on areas that are not performing as well as some other areas. As I have said, I empathise with Deputy Coffey's feelings with regard to Waterford because many of the same problems are being experienced in my own city of Limerick. I will follow up on this issue with my Government colleagues.

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