Vol. 514 No. 1
52 Mr. Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress, if any, which has been made to regionalise job creation opportunities with reference to the IDA land banks in the county towns in Cork in view of the stated Government policy. [3541/00]
The attraction of industry to certain counties is a day-to-day matter for the industrial development agencies and not one in which we have a direct function. The availability of suitable land banks is essential to the attraction of industry to the regions. There are a total of 15 IDA Ireland-owned land banks available for industrial development in County Cork comprising some 100 acres in total. IDA Ireland is in discussion with Cork County Council regarding a joint venture to provide a further 20 acres of land in Fermoy. In addition, there is a 28 acre privately-owned West Cork Technology Park at Clonakilty.
IDA Ireland continues to promote all its sites for suitable overseas and indigenous investment projects. Over the past year IDA Ireland has expended considerable effort on reviewing its role and on planning its future strategy to ensure it continues to meet national needs in the year 2000 and following. In this regard, I have ensured that the need for more balanced regional development has been brought to the core of the agency's agenda and it has now become the main focus of its activity. IDA Ireland's programme for regional development will continue to be geared towards a partnership approach between the agencies, local authorities and infrastructure and service providers, including those of skills training.
I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for his indulgence in this matter. I do not accept there is not a role for the Government because, where there are political sensitivities such as Fruit of the Loom, the Government becomes directly involved and directs job creation into certain areas. There are four land banks in my constituency owned by the IDA and not a single new job has been created on any of those in the lifetime of the Government. We in Cork North-West feel we live in the forgotten constituency. I appeal to the Minister regarding land banks in Charleville, Kanturk, Newmarket and Macroom to direct some inward investment and additional job opportunities there. The Celtic tiger may be running out of steam and many of the benefits of it have not been seen in Cork North-West.
I did not say the Government does not have a role but that it does not have a direct role. The Government has a role from a policy, leadership and promotional point of view. The Minister, the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Kitt, and I have assisted the State agencies in promoting Ireland throughout the world. Looking at Cork in totality—
The Minister of State should look at my constituency.
—the number of jobs created in the county and city over the past two and a half years is unequalled in the history of the State. The Deputy should be assured that his area, with the support of the local Minister, Deputy Walsh, is constantly promoted, and we will do what we can to attract a major industry to the area.
He is not a representative in my constituency which is a forgotten constituency.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
