Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I think it is important to add some information to the Minister of State's script. While he is correct there is an IDA business park in Enniscorthy, there is no land available because it is full. I also want to correct myself as I said there was 3 acres of land whereas it is 4.5 acres. However, if a major client wanted to come to Wexford, it could not do so because that land is not available.

The issue is that if a new company is preparing to invest, either land or a premises must be available. I am fine with the investment in the towns the Minister of State outlined, namely, Sligo, Athlone, Tralee, Galway, Limerick, Castlebar, Dundalk and Waterford, and also that the next funding is being prepared for Carlow. However, subsequent to that, the funding will go back to Waterford, which is not fair. The IDA has made it very clear it is going back to Waterford but it has an obligation to County Wexford as well as County Waterford. Given the Government had made funding available, I do not believe the IDA can just exclude a county in the manner in which it is currently excluding Wexford. I ask the Minister of State to address that specific point.

See this speech in context