Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I accept that it is very difficult for a Minister to instruct industry or commerce to locate in a certain area. If a multinational company comes to this country, we are happy to have it, but it is very difficult to direct it to a specific area. There needs to be a broader-based policy underpinning regional development. The vast majority of IDA Ireland sites that are lying idle are located in the places that most need job creation and investment and which are very much struggling to attract multinational foreign direct investment, such as the Border region, the midlands and parts of the south east. It is evident that this is having a direct impact on the commercial life of towns across the country. In some towns, there are more shops boarded up than there are operating commercially. There needs to be a refocusing and re-energising of investment in the regions and IDA Ireland plays a key role in that regard. We must consistently advocate for the regions. There would be a double gain as Dublin is bursting at the seams and under significant pressure while the regions are struggling.

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