Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 945: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of site visits by Industrial Development Agency representatives, with interested parties, to towns (details supplied) in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28596/06]

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 (FDI) to Ireland. During 2005 the Agency hosted one first-time site visit to both Westport and Castlebar. The Agency is maintaining contact with the companies involved with a view to securing investment, if possible. Unfortunately, IDA was unable to secure visits to any of the other locations mentioned in Co. Mayo.

While decisions regarding where to locate, including what areas to visit are taken by investors, a central goal for IDA Ireland is the achievement of balanced regional development. The National Spatial Strategy provides a framework for achievement of this goal through the prioritization of development and investment in the gateway and hub locations. On this basis, IDA Ireland seeks to attract FDI into the gateways and hubs, as well as a small number of additional locations throughout the West, and particularly Mayo through the linked hubs of Ballina, Castlebar, and Westport.

IDA Ireland's sectoral emphasis is on attracting new knowledge intensive projects in the Medical Technologies, Life Sciences, Information Communications and Technology and International Services sectors and I am confident that the strategies and policies being pursued by IDA Ireland, together with the ongoing commitment of Government to regional development will bear fruit in terms of additional sustainable investment and jobs for the area.