Vol. 568 No. 5
164 Mr. Crawford asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, further to Parliamentary Question No. 221 of 10 June 2003, the number of first time site visits in 2000, 2001 and 2002 by overseas investors which took place in County Monaghan; if the IDA has investment or other plans for County Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16601/03]
IDA Ireland has statutory responsibility, assigned to it by the Oireachtas, for the attraction of foreign direct investment to the State and its regions. I have been informed by IDA Ireland that there were three visits by overseas investors to County Monaghan in 2002, one in 2001 and two in 2000. IDA Ireland is actively promoting County Monaghan as a potential location to overseas investors through its network of overseas offices. However, it is the overseas investors that ultimately decide on location, including potential locations they wish to visit. IDA Ireland assures me that it are doing everything it can to secure high value sustainable employment opportunities for the county.
Monaghan is one of four towns of emphasis in the north east region for the agency and is strongly marketed for new investment. In addition, IDA Ireland is participating in the Armagh-Monaghan digital corridor initiative, which is geared towards encouraging enterprises with a requirement for advanced telecoms to locate on both sides of the Border where the telecommunications networks of both jurisdictions can be accessed. I am confident that the efforts and strategy being pursued by IDA Ireland, together with the ongoing commitment of the Government to regional development, will bring positive results for the people of Monaghan.
