Free-zone visit focus for potential investors

SHANNON Free Zone was the only part of Clare to which visits by potential investors were arranged in the first four months of the year, according to figures supplied in the Dáil by Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Batt O’Keeffe.
In a parliamentary question, Deputy Pat Breen asked for details of visits by potential investors made since 2007, which were organised by the IDA or Shannon Development.
In 2007, Shannon Development arranged eight visits to the Free Zone, while the IDA arranged another six. The following year, Shannon Development brought 10 visits there, while the IDA brought four.
In 2009, Shannon Development brought 12 groups to the Free Zone and the IDA brought six.
In the first four months of this year, Shannon Development arranged five visits to the Free Zone, while the IDA arranged another two.
According to the figures in 2009, the IDA also arranged four visits by potential investors to Ennis but there is no mention of any visits to any part of Clare, other than the Shannon Free Zone, at any other time during the period in question.
Additional figures provided by the Minister showed that during the same period there were 301 visits to Dublin, 101 to Cork and 67 to Galway.
Commenting on the figures, Deputy Breen said that the IDA needs to examine its regional commitment.
“These figures reveals that Dublin has received the lion’s share of job-creation projects and that the rest of the country is left to fight it out for the remainder. The IDA needs to deliver on their commitment in their Horizon 2020 strategy to deliver 50% of their investments outside of Dublin and Cork and these figures reveal the gap that needs to be bridged.”
He said that talk of an extension of Limerick’s boundaries into Clare is just a distraction from real issues.
“Our region’s energy must be focused on job creation and ensuring that agencies like the IDA deliver on their commitments in the interest of balanced regional development. Talk of a boundary extension is a distraction from the real programme of work, which needs to be done.
“The people of Clare do not want any extension into this county. Our views should be respected and the matter should be put to bed for once and for all.”