John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister, Deputy Richard Bruton, does not consider it a fait accompli. We are restating the facts as announced last week. The Government is actively working with IDA Ireland and the other State agencies involved and meeting the management. It is important to understand the decisions being taken by PWAI and Lufthansa arise from international economic conditions, but there is a thriving market in Ireland and the Government will do everything possible with IDA Ireland which does a very good job and Enterprise Ireland. The Minister has met one of the companies, but I cannot confirm whether he has met the other. I am quite certain IDA Ireland met it and the Deputies should be assured that no stone will be left unturned. The Minister will return from India next week and I am quite certain a meeting with all of the concerned Deputies can be arranged. I will ask him to arrange a briefing in his office with all of the Deputies who have raised the issue and to invite IDA Ireland to it in order that everyone can clearly see the potential.

This market is driven by external forces. We can create the environment in which jobs can be created and the Government has made its best efforts to make the economy more competitive, encourage enterprise and create jobs. This is a very disappointing announcement for it to make. We do not consider it to be a fait accompli and anything we and IDA Ireland can do to encourage a rethink will be done. The manufacturing sector is a key one for the economy. It is important to state the manufacturing development forum established last year by the Minister has been involved in helping to activate the recommendations contained in Forfás's manufacturing strategy. Through this initiative, the Government has a target of creating an additional 20,000 jobs in manufacturing by 2016. That is its job. However, we need to be mindful of changes in operational practice in many manufacturing areas and the aerospace sector is no different. IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland are active with companies in the aerospace sector in Ireland with a view to enhancing the potential of good start-ups and encouraging the retention of overseas companies here. I know from personal experience that they have dedicated teams involved.

In general terms, it is important to remember that Ireland continues to be competitive in attracting new investment.

More than 1,000 multinational corporations have chosen Ireland as their strategic European base. Multinationals currently employ 146,000 people. The positive impacts of the Government's policies on job creation are beginning to show. In 2012, the number of jobs in IDA Ireland-supported companies increased by 12,722. This shows the effectiveness of IDA Ireland. The immediate outlook for Ireland's foreign direct investment portfolio is positive, with a strong short-term pipeline. IDA Ireland is confident of securing further investment, including a number that will be capital-intensive in nature.

I will speak to the Minister, Deputy Bruton, when he returns to Ireland next week and ask him to engage in a round-table discussion with the Deputies who raised this matter. I will also ask him to discuss it with the management of both companies and IDA Ireland in order to discover what might be done and ensure that there will be no ambiguity whatsoever. The Government cannot sway multinational companies if they have made decisions but it will certainly do everything in its power to find a resolution in respect of this matter. Deputies may rest assured that the Minister, the Taoiseach and the Government will be 100% committed to finding such a resolution.

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