Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

Déanaim comhgairdeas ó chroí leis na Seanadóirí a ath-tofadh agus leis na Seanadóirí nua. Déanaim comhgairdeas speisialta leatsa, a Chathaoirligh, as ucht a bheith tofa mar Chathaoirleach ar an tSeanad. Tá meas mór agam ar an dTeach seo agus ar an gcaighdeán ard díospóireachta polaitíochta atá le fáil anseo le blianta fada. Tá mé féin agus mo chomhghleacaithe sa Rialtas ag súil go mbeidh seans againn comhoibriú libh ar feadh cúig bliain, ar a laghad.

I thank the Senator for raising this matter on the Adjournment. I am responding on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Harney, who, due to Government commitments and other issues, is unavoidably absent this evening.

Cardinal Health Incorporated announced on 7 October 2002 that it has decided to postpone its proposed investment in a new pharmaceuticals facility in Longford for up to two years due to significant changes in its business priorities following a series of corporate acquisitions in recent times. We are obviously disappointed that this important investment for the Longford area is to be deferred in the short-term. However, we are confident, following discussions with IDA Ireland, that Cardinal Health continues to be strongly committed to the expansion of its business to Ireland. We have been assured that IDA Ireland's commitment to the development of Longford remains solid and focused.

IDA Ireland has already initiated a process in the past six months or so to enhance its business park in Longford town. The agency is also committed to the establishment of a new business and technology park for the town comprising 30 to 40 acres. I understand that both of these developments are well under way and that, with the support of the local authority, a number of potential sites have been identified for the new business park. This park will be a flagship element of local infrastructure designed to attract new investment to Longford.

The Government is committed to balanced regional development and IDA Ireland has put in place a new strategy to attract greenfield investment to the BMW region, including Longford. As part of this strategy IDA Ireland has re-organised its internal structures to drive growth from within the regions. This restructuring has included an allocation of additional staff to its regional offices and an allocation of regional responsibilities to key executives in its headquarters' project divisions.

IDA Ireland has transferred additional posts to Athlone comprising staff from regions, property and health care divisions, bringing the staff complement up to 35. They are located in new offices in the Garrycastle business and technology park. The underlying purpose of the strategy is to work in close partnership with those involved with other State and local resources to create a drive from within the region to pull foreign investment, rather than the current approach of pushing for it from its Dublin headquarters. Other initiatives include a greater focus on marketing of the regions for specific sectors and improvement of marketing material for the regions.