John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 221: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress being made by the Industrial Development Authority and Shannon Development in relation to the creation of new employment in the Askeaton Business Park, Askeaton County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6933/08]

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 and its regions, while Enterprise Ireland is responsible for indigenous industry. Shannon Development's remit includes the provision of property solutions to accommodate the FDI and indigenous sectors in the Mid West region. While I may give general policy directives to the agencies, I am precluded under the Industrial Development Acts from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others.

The Askeaton site is a Shannon Development-owned land bank, comprising 228 acres situated on the southern bank of the Shannon Estuary. The site has been identified as an important site from a business and employment perspective for both Co. Limerick and the wider Region in the Planning and Land Use Transportation Study, the Mid-West Regional Planning Guidelines and the Limerick County Development Plan. In line with its remit Shannon Development has undertaken engineering analysis of the landbank to access its suitability for utility intensive industry and is also considering other development options.

IDA Ireland works closely with Shannon Development in the promotion and marketing of the Askeaton Business Park. The site is actively marketed through IDA's network of overseas offices as a solution for utility intensive projects and, as a result of this effort, IDA hosted a visit to the site from a potential investor in early February 2008. The visit was preliminary in nature and the potential investor is currently evaluating Askeaton along with other potential locations around the world.

Ultimately decisions regarding where to locate a project, including what areas to visit, are taken by investors based on the ability of the locations to support their business needs.