Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

All of us in the House have concerns about the high number unemployed. We had a debate on youth unemployment. Some 85,000 people under the age of 25 years are unemployed and there is no action being taken by the Government to do anything about it. Given the statement made by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Mary Coughlan, yesterday on "Barr Scéalta", during which she discussed the new strategy about to be launched by the IDA which is conducting a review of its strategy and in its first term will launch its 2020 vision, that it will include a policy whereby 50% of all newly created jobs by the IDA will be located in counties Donegal, Sligo, Limerick and Waterford, it is an important initiative. In my report, West Awake, I called for targets to be set for job creation in the western region and sub-regions. I am glad the Minister has acknowledged and started to work towards the achievement of this policy. Her statement yesterday, that the four counties to which I referred will be the location of 50% of all newly created IDA jobs, a policy which will be announced, I understand, next week, forms part of the strategy but she made the announcement on Radio na Gaeltachta yesterday. We should have a chance to tease out this policy. How does she believe the direction she has given to the IDA will be implemented? How will the blocks and the barriers in the counties concerned be lifted in attracting foreign direct investment? What is the policy to be followed in the rest of the country in attracting inward investment in the light of this new policy? It is important, therefore, that the Tánaiste come to the House to discuss the announcement she made yesterday.