Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he will visit County Kerry to meet Tralee Chamber of Commerce and other groups and agencies to discuss the absence of foreign direct investment in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37934/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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In response to a similar question posed by the Deputy in November last, I indicated that I had visited Kerry on 21 July 2005 with officials from my Department and the State development agencies. During the course of this visit I met Kenmare Chamber of Commerce and representative organisations and businesses in Caherciveen, Killorglin and Killarney. Wide-ranging discussions were held concerning economic development in the region.

It is my intention to visit the Tralee and north Kerry area as soon as my departmental and parliamentary commitments permit and I look forward to discussion with the local chambers of commerce and other interested groups about investment and economic development generally in the region.

I understand that IDA Ireland is actively marketing the region. At the end of 2004, there were 2,022 people in permanent employment in 21 IDA supported companies in the county. The agency has now completed site development works on its Business and Technology Park at Tiernaboul in Killarney. A local group of business people have completed a new building of 14,716 sq. ft. on a site acquired from IDA on the this park. IDA is also actively marketing the Kerry Technology Park adjacent to the institute of technology in Tralee and the Listowel Development Centre. In addition to targeting potential new projects, the agency is also working with its existing portfolio of companies in the region, with a view to supporting such companies with potential expansions and diversification of activities.