Vol. 374 No. 1
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce when it is intended to proceed with the handing over of functions in relation to industrial and tourist development to SFADCo; whether it is intended that this precedent will be followed in other parts of the country; whether it is the case that this decision is now under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
36.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make a statement concerning the Government's decision to direct the IDA to cease to function in the Mid-West Region.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 36 together.
The Government announced on 31 July 1987 that in order to meet new challenges and to further enhance the development of the mid-west region and west and south-west Offaly, they had decided to streamline and rationalise the structure of the State organisations dealing with the area and to extend the remit of the Shannon Free Airport Development Company Limited in the areas of industry and tourism. The decision reflects the Government's intention that the company should be given a more integrated and creative role in contributing towards national recovery in the region.
The target date for implementation of the Government decision is 1st January 1988. With effect from that date, it is intended that, in so far as industrial development is concerned, the functions exercised at present by the Industrial Development Authority in the region will be carried out by the Shannon Development Company. The detailed arrangements to give effect to the Government decision are currently being worked out.
I would wish to see how the Shannon Development decision works out in practice before considering any possible extension of the concept to other parts of the country.
