Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is important to remember that site visit activity does not necessarily reflect investment potential. At least 70% of all new foreign direct investment comes from existing IDA Ireland client companies. Donegal is now home to 12 IDA Ireland companies, employing 3,389 people. If one comes from Cavan and Monaghan, like Deputy Brendan Smith and me, one would be very envious. The figure for employment is a 52% increase since 2012. Recent investments announced from IDA Ireland companies based in Donegal included the opening of a new SITA premises in Letterkenny; Optibelt Urethane Belting Limited moving to a 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. As the Deputy states, two site visits took place in Donegal. IDA Ireland continues to do its utmost to encourage clients to locate in areas most in need of investment. I am very conscious that the Border region is lagging behind other regions. I will certainly work closely with IDA Ireland to ensure a focus on the Border region, which will see the most impact from Brexit. I am very conscious of that.

See this speech in context