Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will try to shake the complacency of the Minister's reply. She believes there has been a certain level of achievement by the State agencies because existing companies in the country are increasing employment. They are and they are continuing to grow because they are thriving in the county and it is a place they can do business. The point I am making is that we are getting no new investment. It is something the Minister needs to address. Companies such as Optum and Pramerica, which are growing, came to the county in the 1990s and 2000s and grew from there but we are not getting new investment by new companies. They are not coming and we need to get our fair share of that. It comes down to the Minister with responsibility and the Government driving it. There is no point in telling us there is a policy of regional development when it is quite clear the policy is failing and not happening on the ground. We need it to be addressed by the Minister. On the threat Brexit poses to our county, the fact our economy is so dependent on Northern Ireland plays a big part in that. It makes it even more important that we see a change of approach from the Government. It is crucial that the Minister takes control of that and ensures we do not continue to be neglected which unfortunately has been the case with regard to new investments over the past number of years.

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