Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have no specifics. Several leads are being followed but like all of these matters, they are commercially sensitive and we do not discuss people’s interests in public. There is a joint IDA and Enterprise Ireland task force because it is equally attractive to both and we are pursuing that.

If the Senator gives us examples of the shortage of suitable buildings in the Border regions we can examine that. We have not been in the business of building advanced buildings for a long time.

We have done it very strategically in Waterford, Athlone and Letterkenny in the area of medical technology. We are looking very strategically at some buildings. If there are companies that are that strong, I am surprised the sector is not able to respond to the demand.
I agree with Senator Cullinane that the Credit Guarantee Scheme needs to be improved. We intend to improve it. Senator Cullinane, in terms of his statement that 400,000 people have emigrated, tends to distort the statistics in that the figure represents the gross number of people who have emigrated. The net figure is 100,000 and that is falling. Many Polish workers have left Ireland and the statistic in that regard is reflected in the emigration statistics referenced by Senator Cullinane. I agree that emigration is too high but the only response to an emigration challenge is job creation. Some 80,000 jobs have been created and emigration has decreased by 34,000 or 30%. We need to sustain that and the best way of doing so is further job creation.
I agree with the general view that we need more regional focus. The IDA and Enterprise Ireland plans which will be put in place following each agency's strategy review will include greater focus on regional development because I have insisted on that focus. Also, the broader regional enterprise strategy will tap into other stakeholders in the region. We learned from the south east that collaboration across stakeholders can be as good in the creation of a hub as is finding new money.
I take the point made by Senator Michael Mullins regarding IDA visits. I believe we need to examine the strengths of villages and towns around their broad competitive advantage and the sectors therein that are strong and then build upon that. If as part of that IDA involvement is required it will be forthcoming. We need a broader view of the growth of our regions.
Reference was made to the need for a hire Irish policy. I do not think that is possible. There is in place a hire EU policy which provides that under work permits one cannot recruit internationally unless it is not possible to fill a post with an EU person. This is the basis of our work permits system and will continue to be our policy. Clearly we have obligations to everybody equally.
I will not comment on speculation in the Meath Chronicle and Cavan and Westmeath Herald. I can assure Senator Byrne that we continue to work hard for that area.