Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The truth is, we need to be able to build on regional strengths, whatever they may be. Some companies will come for deep labour market pools. They identify their needs early. Either Ireland delivers on those needs or we lose the projects. This can result in a narrow choice of regional locations. However, this is not the case with other projects. Clearly, we need to develop a better flow of projects that are more regionally mobile. ConnectIreland plays a part in that. We also need to strengthen regions. I am keen to see them building competitive strengths and to work with them in that regard.

It is not as simple as just telling the IDA to start shifting pawns around the board, but we can build stronger magnets of attraction within our regions and pursue companies that fit them. This forms part of the revision of strategy that we need to consider.

See this speech in context