Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I do indeed. Our new life science strategy will be brought forward next year. That will be in line with the EU life science strategy and will aim to grow the 100,000 employees in the sector and the more than €100 billion in exports. Galway is very much front and centre of that, being a hub of medtech. About 70% of medtech companies are doing research and development and they are very good at the commercialisation of research in our tertiary education settings. One of the key areas of our new strategy is semiconductors, which is also important for the west. Obviously, Galway has been highlighted for its very significant and large-scale site, which will be very important for our next-generation semiconductor investment. The Deputy referenced the 31,000 people employed by IDA companies in the west, particularly in Galway, but there are an additional 25,000 jobs intrinsically linked to the IDA. If one looks at the current semiconductor companies and their supply chains, one of them has 900 SMEs intrinsically ingrained in its supply chain management process, so that will be a significant game-changer for Galway. It is very important that we get that site over the line. We are expecting to bring a memo to Cabinet on it in the next number of weeks, in consultation with our friends in the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. It is important that we get that on the road.

See this speech in context