James Carroll (Fianna Fail)

Go raibh maith agat a Cathaoirleach chun seans a labhairt faoi an gá le airgead breise a thabhairt go dtí na mbord contae agus cathair fiontar.

I was elected to Louth County Council last June and within two weeks to Louth County Enterprise Board. My first priority after my election was to try to secure jobs. This is essential not only in my constituency of Louth and Meath East but throughout the entire country. Louth County Enterprise Board is the primary agency in County Louth dedicated to the development of micro-enterprises. It has been in place for over 15 years and its experienced staff who have the necessary know-how and knowledge have provided advice, counselling, training and much more by way of support for well over 4,000 local enterprises. However, it has no money to assist new and start-up businesses for the rest of 2010. For a sum of €30 million or €60 million nationally among all boards, we could see new businesses flourish and thrive.

The former head of IDA Ireland, Mr. Padraic White, is chairman of Louth Economic Forum, a new transformative group which is drawing up a nine point action plan to make County Louth the number one place in which to do business. We need to make Ireland Incorporated the number one place in which to do business. Louth Economic Forum's nine point strategy includes foreign direct investment; sustainable energy projects; indigenous industry; tourism and heritage; education and training; agriculture and fisheries; broadband, making Louth the best county in which to do business; and developing the Drogheda-Dundalk-Newry economic corridor. We need to assist the county enterprise board structure to help local authorities such Louth County Council to develop the foundation to achieve these goals.