John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am guessing that 1,300 people have emigrated.

When the jobs were lost in TalkTalk the Government initiated the south-east area action plan. The Minister has shown a real commitment to the region, and I appreciate that. There has been progress in the interdepartmental joined-up thinking process that is important with regard to infrastructure.

At the time, the Minister acknowledged that new industry had not taken hold as strongly in Waterford as in other regions. We know that to be true. Since then, we have seen more site visits organised by the IDA, more itineraries and far more activity by the development agencies. Again, I thank the Minister in that regard. Unfortunately, we have not yet seen any tangible benefits. Much is going on in the Minister's Department. He has been extremely inventive with regard to designing measures to spur employment creation.

I have a suggestion with regard to Waterford and the south east. It would be helpful, in order to maintain the focus of the IDA and Enterprise Ireland on the south east and Waterford, for the Minister's Department to arrange briefings, at least quarterly, with officials of the Department, the IDA and Enterprise Ireland on their efforts to bring industry to Waterford and the south east. If necessary, this could be done on a confidential basis.

The situation is getting worse. I appreciate the efforts of the Minister and his officials to date. However, a new protocol needs to be put in place to make sure the level of intensity by the development agencies does not fall away. This is a very serious situation and new arrangements have a place. I hope the Minister can help in facilitating that arrangement.

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