Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister rightly says, FDI has been transformative for the midlands and very much for County Longford.

Abbott has evolved. Initially, it started out with 600 jobs. It has now in excess of 1,300 people in employment. Avery Dennison - the Minister pointed out that he opened the plant in 2018 - is enjoying a meteoric rise. The company's stated intention is that it wants to be the next Abbott in Longford. We really need to get the fourth FDI facility into Longford town. That is why I am pushing hard, in the twilight of this Government, to get this over the line. The Minister has been absolutely committed and focused on it, as, indeed, his ministerial colleagues here in the front row have been. This is a key ask on the part of the people of Longford. Before the curtain comes down on this Government's term of office, I hope we can deliver for them.

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