Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 389: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for attracting industrial development to the Cavan area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30801/06]

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 390: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for attracting industrial development to the Monaghan area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30802/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 389 and 390 together.

The marketing of individual areas, including Cavan and Monaghan, for new or expansion FDI investments and jobs is a day-to-day operational matter for IDA Ireland. While I may give general policy directives to the agency, I am precluded under the Acts from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others.

IDA's regional strategy has been to adopt a focused approach to marketing, selecting specific towns in each region and setting targets for new investment. This year, for example, IDA has a target to secure a new investment in the medical devices area for Cavan town as it believes the existing 23,745 sq ft facility in its Cavan Business Park is particularly suited to this sector. The sector should not compete with existing businesses in the town for potential employees. This approach has been very successful in other towns in the region such as Dundalk and Drogheda where significant investments have been secured over the last 12 months.

There are a limited number of potential new FDI projects at any given time and it is not possible to have a specific target for each town. Should a project be secured for Cavan the focus would then shift to Monaghan. This does not preclude IDA Ireland from marketing each town on an ongoing basis and the agency responds to all enquiries by potential investors. Ultimately decisions regarding where to locate are taken by the investors and IDA Ireland can only advise and market the attractions of potential sites, and work towards convincing investors that these sites meet their requirements.

IDA Ireland has also been exploring the possibility of developing a new Park in Monaghan. The County Council has been working closely with the agency in this process. IDA intends focusing on upgrading its site at Knockaconny in the coming years to make it compatible with the needs of modern business. I welcome the decision of the county development fund to seek planning permission for the provision of a new office facility on this site and am assured by IDA Ireland that they will undertake to actively market it for new investment.

IDA Ireland have also assured me that they are actively engaged with a range of local bodies in the Border region such as the county development boards, local authorities, utility providers, third level institutes and private sector property providers, in order to enhance the attractiveness of the counties as potential sites for new investment. To successfully compete with other locations internationally, it is vital that the regions in Ireland strive to match the requirements of overseas investors. I am confident that the completion of the M3 motorway, which will facilitate access to the airport, will improve the prospects for additional investment and jobs for the people of Cavan and Monaghan.