Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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676. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress as provided under the programme for Government on the development of a new Atlantic economic corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53718/17]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for a Partnership Government and the Action Plan for Rural Development both contain a commitment to progress the concept of an Atlantic Economic Corridor. The concept was proposed in February 2016 by a group involving a number of Chambers of Commerce in the Western region and the American Chambers of Commerce of Ireland.

The overarching objective of the Atlantic Economic Corridor concept is to maximise the assets of the western region, from Kerry to Donegal, and connect the economic hubs, clusters and catchments of the region to attract investment, support job creation and contribute to an improved quality of life for those who live in the region.

I established an Atlantic Economic Corridor Taskforce in March 2017 to progress the proposal. The Taskforce includes senior representatives from the business sector, key Government Departments and other public bodies, and third level institutions.

The role of the Taskforce, inter alia, is to:

- Develop a common understanding of the AEC concept.

- Provide a platform for engagement between stakeholders from the private sector, the public sector, third Level institutions and the wider community to consider how best an economic corridor can be created to maximise the potential of the region and to ensure a co-ordinated approach.

- Oversee and support an sub-group structure to progress specific objectives.

- Conduct an analysis of the potential of the region and the issues that need to be addressed to maximise that potential.

- Work with relevant bodies and agencies to identify infrastructural and other priorities which could help to support the economic development of the AEC region.

- Identify short-to-medium-term actions which can be taken to achieve the longer-term goals of the Atlantic Economic Corridor which will be consistent with the National Planning Framework.

The Taskforce has met four times since it was established and will continue to meet on a regular basis. A number of sub-groups of the Taskforce have also been established to progress specific aspects of the overall proposal.

The Atlantic Economic Corridor has the potential to contribute to effective regional development in the context of the forthcoming National Planning Framework. The development of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies, which are provided for in the draft National Planning Framework, will also be important tools for further embedding the concept at both regional and national level.