Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Last week I referred to the figures for IDA Ireland visits that had been revealed in response to a parliamentary question tabled by my colleague, Deputy Calleary. I was pleased to report that there had been a significant increase in the figures for the north west. I mentioned specifically that my own county, which had recorded nul pointsup to now, had received eight visits and that County Sligo had received 15 visits.

While visits are welcome - they are all very well - there must be a focus on what happens afterwards. In that context, I contacted IDA Ireland to find out exactly what it does after these visits have gone ahead. The reply I received was somewhat ambiguous. I was told that IDA Ireland is targeting an increase of 30% to 40% in the number of investments for each region outside Dublin. This has to be welcomed. We have often exchanged views on this issue.

Everyone, including members of the Government parties, will say that even if the statistics support the Minister's statement that IDA Ireland investment is evenly spread, the evidence on the ground does not necessarily coincide with that view. The reply I received from IDA Ireland made it clear that as part of its strategy, the agency continues to encourage visiting itineraries to visit County Leitrim and the rest of the north west. IDA Ireland said that when it is marketing County Leitrim and the wider region, it advises visiting itineraries of the availability of relevant skill sets, third level institutes, industry clusters and relevant property solutions, etc. It pointed out that regular engagement and collaboration with stakeholders is also important in positioning any regional location to attract foreign direct investment. It said it is continuing to engage in such activity, while also working with existing clients in all regional locations to generate additional jobs.

At least it opened the veil a little on the exact criteria that are used when these visits take place. I think that is interesting and should be put on the record, but the main point of my query was to find out what happens afterwards. Unfortunately, IDA Ireland was not quite as forthcoming in that regard. Instead, it chose to hide behind commercial sensitivity in a way that reminded me what people say in all the movies we watch about America when a question arises about something. They say "We cannot answer that because of national security."

In this instance, IDA Ireland is saying that information on active leads is confidential between IDA Ireland and its client companies because it is commercially sensitive. It is also saying that it is continuing to pursue, engage and implement active leads as they arise throughout the country. It also says that the final decision on where to locate an investment resides and always will reside with the client company.

I appreciate that there is sensitivity involved here, but surely it would be helpful if IDA Ireland could give some indication of what is happening, other than merely giving details of these visits. That is all we hear. We are told about the visits. I do not think we can do anything to change that. Although I welcome the increase in visits to my own county and the north west generally, I want to record my hope that those visits will result in something more fruitful.