Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister's detailed response. The year 2019 is the 70th anniversary of the creation of the IDA and it is important that a Minister from regional Ireland controls this economic portfolio. It is no small feat that job growth of 66% has been obtained outside of Dublin and the Minister has had a considerable part to play in that regard by driving regional Ireland through initiatives such as the regional enterprise development fund, which has provided significant funding to encourage people to get on the road and ensure that investment in the area continues.

I am from a large regional town, Mullingar, where there is a 70-acre, fully serviced IDA park. It is one important area in which we seek investment, although I acknowledge that the council, in conjunction with the IDA, is applying for planning permission for an advance factory unit. Any movement in that regard would be helpful to shorten lead times for investors in the locality.

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