Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

No one disputes the fact that there will be a review. In fact, ConnectIreland welcomes the review because it has a good story to tell and all of its outcomes have been positive. Some 80,000 members of the diaspora in more than 147 countries are connected and almost 80 new businesses have grown in Ireland, creating in excess of 2,000 jobs. It has been a positive story, but the problem is that the IDA feels threatened by this. ConnectIreland creates jobs at a cost of €4,000 per job whereas an IDA job costs €10,000 to €11,000.

What is the problem with allowing ConnectIreland to continue the initiative while the review is under way for a few months? The contract was extended a year ago to allow for the review, but it has not got under way yet. ConnectIreland's clear legal advice from solicitors Arthur Cox is that there is no reason that the contract cannot be extended for that purpose. ConnectIreland is happy to take its chance in any retendering process.

The Minister will lose all of the initiative, goodwill and contacts. It does not make sense.

See this speech in context