Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Every IDA Ireland site is on the radar. Let us consider the positives as well. Charleville is a fantastic dairy hub, especially with the work the Kerry Group is doing there. They make cheese strings there. There is an engineering hub nearby also. Millstreet has Alps Electric and Ballydesmond has Munster Joinery. Some really good companies are based there. Deputy Moynihan is right that north Cork has a great deal to offer but many good companies are there as well.

Like any other county that has a big city nearby, there is a magnet to attract companies into the big city of Cork. People want to work there and the talent is there because of the volume of big multinational companies. Apple has almost 6,000 people. People are going to travel a short distance and there is nothing we can do about that. People can choose the places where they can get good jobs. I understand the attraction of the towns mentioned by Deputy Moynihan. They are and will continue to be on the IDA Ireland radar. However, Deputy Moynihan should also acknowledge the good jobs that are in those towns at present. We need to ensure that we sustain those jobs and employment in the future.

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