Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

In November 2022, the European Commission adopted Ireland's territorial just transition plan and associated programme. That was launched in April 2023. There is a total commitment of €169 million to the just transition process in the midlands designated territory, as approved by the Commission. Of the total, €84.5 million is from the EU just transition fund out to 2027.

The Deputy's question relates to whether we could create a zone. I refer to the legislative framework under which such a zone would be created in the modern era, or the context. In terms of incentives or supports, they tend to national as opposed to zone by zone. I will discuss it with him further but we need to be very clear about what we are actually looking for. In many respects, the Shannon free zone was a feature of an earlier era and there have been many changes since then. I will talk to the Deputy about it.

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