Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 27 Jun 2001

Vol. 539 No. 2

Written Answers. - Industrial Development.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

55 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the promotion campaign, Into the Regions, conducted by Enterprise Ireland; if she was informed of this campaign prior to its introduction; her views on the campaign indicating that necessary infrastructure is available in rural Ireland for the expansion and siting of industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19124/01]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

The operation and implementation of Enterprise Ireland's regional strategy, Driving Growth in Regional Enterprise, which I launched last February, is a day to day function of Enterprise Ireland and is one in which I have no direct role. However, I was made aware of the "Into the Regions" event prior to the promotion campaign referred to by the Deputy.

The primary thrust of Enterprise Ireland's regional strategy is on creating and sustaining economic activity throughout the country. The strategy is based on four distinct pillars, two of which deal with the enhancement of the operating environment for companies and with encouraging investments by expansion-minded Dublin-based companies in regional locations. The strategy recognises that the road, rail and telecommunications infrastructure requires significant investment in certain regions. These are being addressed in the context of the national development plan.

In the meantime the Government's policy of regional dispersal of economic activity is being actively pursued and it is intended to maximise the potential that currently exists for such development in parallel with the infrastructure programme set out in the national development plan. In my reply to the Deputy on Question No. 109 on 19 June 2001 I outlined the current position regarding the provision of infrastructure in the country.