Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Obviously, IDA Ireland has decided not to renew the Succeed in Ireland initiative and it will expire in March. IDA Ireland said it created 527 verifiable jobs at a cost of €2 million but ConnectIreland, and its chief executive officer, Terry Clune, claim it created more than 2,200 jobs. There is a serious dispute about these figures. I understand there are significant tensions between IDA Ireland and ConnectIreland to the extent that it has gone for arbitration. Will the Minister confirm this?

The Sunday Business Postalso revealed that, based on freedom of information requests, there have been several meetings with IDA officials and ConnectIreland with the former Secretary General of the Department of Finance, John Moran, lobbying on ConnectIreland’s behalf. There seems to be some dispute as to whether the State agency might be required to disburse further amounts to the company to offset losses. Will the Minister confirm this? If so, will she specify the amounts involved?

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