Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I accept that one can lead a horse to water but that one cannot make it drink. We all want to put the best foot forward when it comes to our regions. In terms of economic growth across the country, 45% of Irish GDP is generated in the capital according to the CSO. There is a large concentration of the population in the capital but, unfortunately, out of the total number of jobs created by IDA Ireland in all counties with cities, Waterford fared the worst, with only 471 jobs created there last year while 1,458 were created in Limerick, 1,971 in Galway and 3,177 in Cork. It is disappointing that three times the number of jobs created in Waterford, the constituency I represent, are being created in other cities. I know this is also disappointing for the Minister of State. I reiterate that Waterford, as well as the rest of the south east and the north west, can act as a release valve for the overheating in Dublin. In light of Brexit, I would like to see a renewed focus on Waterford and the rest of the south east and the north west.

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