Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish all women a happy International Women's Day and thank them for everything they do for us and for society in general. The question I have this morning relates to land for industrial development in Charleville, County Cork. Over the past 20 or so years, the Railway Road industrial park in Charleville, which was designated as an industrial site, saw a number of initiatives such as the business expansion scheme. All the sites on it have been developed. Charleville is an engineering capital. It developed out of the old Golden Vale long ago. Significant engineering works happen there, many of which have products they are producing and servicing which are among the top in the world.

Over the past while, the last sites that were available from IDA Ireland on Kilmallock Road have been taken up by a local indigenous company. The sites that were developed on Railway Road are now all occupied. Charleville is the heart of Munster. It is midway between Cork and Limerick. It is extremely well situated for business and prospective growth. People come to us who are looking for IDA, State-owned land to develop industry in the environs of the town. We do not have that land at the moment. Over the decades, IDA Ireland sought land in provincial towns such as Charleville and elsewhere. Over the years, that land has been developed. We have come to a juncture where IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the Department must look at places like Charleville for further development. There is significant employment in the town. These indigenous industries provide significant potential for growth. They have contracts right across the globe for the product they are producing. Many are at the top of their field.

My question to the Minister of State is about what plans IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the Department have to source more land within Charleville for industrial development there. The Railway Road side has all the sewerage, electricity, water and broadband connections necessary, which have been developed over recent years. Is it possible to acquire more land adjacent to that or to get more land elsewhere in the town or its environs so that we can facilitate people who are looking at Charleville as a place to start their businesses? People have come to us about it, including Ian Doyle, a local councillor. They work extremely hard. We recently talked about how people come to us looking for land and we do not have that option available. What plans do the Department, the Minister, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland have to develop further lands? It could be done in conjunction with the local authority, Cork County Council, which would be forthcoming. We need an overall plan to ensure land is available for industrial development in Charleville and its environs.

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