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

The first report of the just transition by Kieran Mulvey is trying to devise new jobs in the energy sector in Longford and Westmeath. The impact of the company closure on those families who have worked for generations in Bord na Móna cannot be underestimated. I was with the Minister last year in the Lough Ree power station. There we saw first hand the impact the closures were having. I welcome the just transition report. Future Governments need to continue to resource it to ensure we can diversify.

I also welcome the potential creation of 600 jobs in the region. It was heartening to hear Kieran Mulvey during the week refer to two expressions of interest he has had already from significant companies in the manufacturing and food sectors. That needs to be followed up with our stakeholders, be it Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland or the local authority. It is important we are strategic and ensure we take advantage of all opportunities that are presented.

I welcome the fact Bord na Móna has won the tender for the bog restoration project which will provide 40 jobs in the area. It is important the midlands retrofitting scheme is resourced. I welcome the fact the Minister said it has the potential at least to create 400 jobs in the region. This is very close to my heart. The Lanesborough–Ballyleague town team along with Councillor Gerard Farrell have been on to me about working with key stakeholders. These are community people who have a view about shaping their community and working to take advantage of any schemes provided by the Government.

As Deputy Feighan said, broadband is key for our areas. One thing that this pandemic has shown us is that we need the capacity to work from home. We need the capacity for our children to be able to take advantage of e-learning. One can see this with the different lectures and lessons provided to the family home through, for example, Zoom. It is important to take advantage of these opportunities at this difficult time. It is important we improve broadband access. I welcome the Minister's announcement in terms of bringing forward some of the broadband plan. It is important that we accelerate it in any way we can.

I raised the matter of Inland Fisheries Ireland and the restocking of our lakes with the Minister of State responsible, Deputy Canney. I come from Westmeath, the Lake County, and they are important for our tourism industry. The Minister is aware of how much he had to work during a difficult time in our economy in the past to get jobs back.

We are presented with that challenge again and the tourism sector can embrace and lead the response to it. Lakes in Westmeath and everywhere else must be restocked. There seems to be some confusion about how to achieve that during the phased reopening of our economy. It is very clear that restocking lakes is outdoor work but there seems to be confusion about it. There was also confusion regarding fish farms on a previous occasion, during a period in which Government formation took place, and it was something the political system had to rectify. If the lakes are not restocked, it will have a significant impact on our anglers and fishers. The lakes are a key attraction for areas in the midlands and it is very important that the message goes out loud and clear to Inland Fisheries Ireland that restocking them this year must be a priority. As already stated, the value of those lakes cannot be underestimated in the context of attracting investment into our region, and tourism will be one of the key sectors emerging from this. The Minister will be well aware of how much our agriculture sector and exports led to the previous recovery, to which he was central as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. I would welcome his comments.

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