Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I will be categorical in stating that we are absolutely not excluding Laois. I was down there recently. The Leprino plant is an existing sector business under Enterprise Ireland that we are trying to find a replacement for through the FDI sector. It is a highly regulated plant that needs very significant support. As the Deputy will be aware, we are also working on an advance planning permit for Portlaoise. This is a very important investment which aims to get more high-quality stock into the market to assist County Laois.

As I pointed out, employment in the region increased by 26% over the last number of years. I am happy to arrange a meeting to work with Laois companies and to try to get more investment into the region but we have to be honest about the fact that we are operating in a very constrained space now. Over the next five years, relations with the US Administration will be very constrained. We are under significant pressure in terms of capital investment and we have very strong competitors. Singapore, for example, has very deep pockets. In terms of increases in capital allocations in the budget, we are looking at getting 6%, if we are lucky. That leaves us in a very tight space in the context of the work we do.

We just have to be very honest and we have to protect what we have. I absolutely want to grow Laois. I will be unequivocal about that and will work with Deputy Fleming in trying to assist through the IDA. We are committed on the capital side through our land bank there and the work we have to do on it.

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