Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

More can be done and it should and will be done but there is no complacency, especially in the face of the Brexit challenge. It is important to recognise the improvements that have been made. I am simply pointing that out. There have been recent investment announcements which the Deputy seems to be disregarding such as the opening of the new SITA premises in Letterkenny, Optibelt Urethane Belting Limited is moving to new premises in Letterkenny with associated capital investment of €7.7 million over five years, and the expansion of Pramerica with the creation of 330 new jobs.

Of course, more can always be done. We undoubtedly need to continue to have a focus on Donegal and other regional areas. There were seven site visits by IDA Ireland to Donegal in 2016. IDA Ireland will do its utmost to encourage clients to locate in areas that are most in need of investment. At the end of the day, companies decide where they will locate having considered all the issues. Thankfully, the majority, over 71%, of jobs created last year were in regional areas outside Dublin.

See this speech in context