Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 320: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of companies the IDA brought to North Kerry since January 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19051/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland. Under the Industrial Development Acts I am precluded from giving directives to the Agency regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others.

I understand from IDA Ireland that since January 2005 the agency has brought five companies on site visits to North Kerry.

A central goal for IDA Ireland is the achievement of balanced regional development in line with The National Spatial Strategy (NSS) 2002 — 2020. In Kerry, Tralee and Killarney are designated as a linked hub under the NSS. IDA Ireland assures me that it is actively promoting County Kerry and the advantages of locating in Kerry, which include a young skilled population, the presence of an institute of technology, and the availability of first class business parks and a regional airport to potential new investors and is also working closely with existing clients in Kerry to encourage them to expand their operations.