Vol. 573 No. 2
90 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of overseas inquiries made in respect of new job investments here in the past 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24733/03]
IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland. The agency, through its project divisions and network of overseas offices, is actively marketing Ireland, including individual regions and areas, to potential overseas investors.
In the 12 months to the end of September 2003 there were 161 first-time site visits by potential investors to Ireland and 84 repeat site visits. According to IDA Ireland it can take a considerable time between an initial visit to a site and a final decision from the client. Ultimately, it is overseas investors themselves who decide where they want to locate, including what areas they wish to visit as potential locations.
