John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I do not direct my criticism directly at the Minister. The Minister has a difficult situation and I recognise that it is remarkably difficult for him. My criticism is directed primarily at IDA. We are told by IDA that it cannot direct companies to locate in any particular region. Surely the logical thing to do would be to examine why companies are not locating in places such as Waterford and then address that. For example, it has been acknowledged repeatedly that university status for Waterford Institute of Technology, WIT, is a key marker for the development of the city and region. Yet we have still to see the Government keep its promise to fast-track this development.

We pay the IDA substantial amounts of money and the staff get high salaries in particular regions for a job description that amounts to directing jobs into those regions. If the Minister speaks to any Member, councillor or person from Waterford he will ascertain that we believe we are not getting our fair share and that the IDA is not doing its job.

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