Denis Landy (Labour)

I welcome the Minister. The enterprise boards and the new development companies in local communities are drivers of new business. I understand the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is awaiting reports from all Departments on various functions that could be devolved to local government. Currently, while enterprise boards and development companies do excellent work, there is very little local accountability or visibility for the work they do. In the report to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government I hope the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation will include these as functions that could be devolved to local government to provide for democratic accountability and involve communities on a wider scale in the development of local businesses.

Senator Cummins referred to TalkTalk in Waterford. I heard some of the debate in the Dáil earlier and assure the House my contribution will be much calmer, but I am concerned about this issue. I am from Carrick-on-Suir, only 16 miles from Waterford. Around 130 people from south Tipperary are employed in TalkTalk. I heard the Minister speak about the matter on a number of occasions. He regretted the fact the company was leaving Ireland and only giving 30 days notice. There is a requirement to address the way companies can withdraw within 30 days, particularly those which were funded by IDA Ireland, as this company was. It was also in negotiations to receive further funding.

I would like a commitment from the Minister that he will pursue the matter of the upgrade of Waterford Institute of Technology. The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, has already given that commitment and it is included in the programme for Government, but because of the crisis in the south east, the word "pursue" must be replaced by "complete".

I am also concerned about the globalisation fund and the drawing down of funding for Waterford. Have we learned from the experience with Dell, when €22 million was allocated and only €16 million drawn down before the deadline? I would like to hear the Minister's thoughts on how that fund might be used locally in Waterford.