I propose to take Questions Nos. 84, 85 and 93 together.
While I am concerned at any factors that might adversely affect industrial employment, there is no evidence available to my Department or the industrial development agencies of any increased tendency for firms to relocate to low wage economies.
The experience of the agencies is that the reasons for relocation are many, varied and complex. Ireland has on balance benefited from such movement in recent times due to the strength of our economy, and the trend in employment arising from inward investment continues to be extremely favourable. A record 23,300 new jobs were created in IDA Ireland supported companies during 2000. Allowing for job losses of 8,100, total employment in IDA companies increased by 15,200 to almost 140,000 and this represents an increase of 12.2%.