Brendan Daly (Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Hanafin for giving me the opportunity to comment briefly on the Bill and I welcome the Minister to the House. We were apprehensive about this when it was initially announced, but after some discussion with the Minister and with Shannon Development we are very satisfied that a resolution has been found to allay the fears that some staff had about the transfer. In making this arrangement, it consolidates the organisation of the industry in a way which will be better for the region in the long term. It will also be better for Shannon Development and Enterprise Ireland.

I am glad that Enterprise Ireland has taken the decision to decentralise to Shannon and that it has placed its new offices for the enterprise boards in the Shannon area. This will be very important for the long-term interests of the enterprise boards. This Bill makes a firm decision on long-terms prospects and that is good for the region. There has been much anxiety in the region, due to changes at Shannon Airport and the development of the new airport authorities.

The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism recently endorsed Shannon Development's role in the tourism industry, which is also very important. Some local input into the work of Shannon Development in tourism would be a good thing. Many people in the region hold the view that while the board has done a very good job and highly skilled personnel are involved in that area, there is a necessity for some local input and some involvement by local authorities. An example is Shannonside, which was abolished in 1989 when much re-organisation took place to get better value for money.

I hope that the personnel in Enterprise Ireland will take a more positive view of relocating to Shannon. Shannon has been a success story for relocation long before this recent announcement was made. The vehicle registration unit of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government relocated to Shannon, which has been a great success. The people in that office had the opportunity to avail of a better lifestyle, with far less traffic problems than in this city. Personnel at Enterprise Ireland should look favourably at moving to our region, one of the most attractive in Ireland. I am sorry to say this in the presence of Senator Coghlan from Killarney, but we do not give away any jewels on the tourism crown of the west coast of Clare.