Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her response and note that she used the words "facilitate" and "stays in Ireland". I also recognise eBay's right to make its own decision. I put it that the reason the region has been doing so well is a result of the work of the local authority, the Louth Economic Forum, the Chamber of Commerce and the presence of Dundalk Institute of Technology in the region. However, the Minister has not answered my question. I put it to her categorically that I want an assurance that neither IDA Ireland nor its management is using a range of methods to attract investment to various regions that are contrary to what should be happening in the development of industry in Ireland - namely, inducements to people from outside these regions. All I am looking for is a fair playing field and for eBay to recognise, as it did from the start, that Dundalk is at the heart of its operations and decide, given the workforce in Dundalk and the development that has taken place, not to move on. We all recognise that PayPal will expand and that is great. The bottom line for most of the Oireachtas Members and the people of the region is that we want to retain eBay and expand PayPal. Everyone benefits from that regional approach.

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