This article is from page 13 of the 2006-02-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 13 JPG
ENNIS should not “be a lunch stop on an IDA itinerary” between Galway and Limerick, business leaders in the Clare capital have said.
The comment came as the Industrial Development Authority as criticised for its failure to get investment for the regions.
Ennis Chamber of Commerce expressed concern that Clare’s exclusion from the BMW region “means we have lost out as a result.”
CEO of the Ennis Chamber of Commerce, Theresa McInerney: “Ennis is often overlooked because we are located so close to Galway and Limerick. What we don’t want is to see Ennis as a lunch stop on an IDA itinerary. We are serious contenders for business investment and we need to work with the IDA to that end.”
Ms McInerney said that while it is “all very well to criticise the IDA, we need to sell ourselves to them. We need to work with the IDA to portray the attractiveness of the region.”
She said it is important to show all the advantages which Clare has to offer including a young and well educated population, the location of top universities, proximity to an international airport, access to broadband and major improvements to infrastructure in the region.
Members of the Joint Oireacthas Committee on Enterprise and Small Business demanded explanations from IDA boss, Sean Dorgan, why areas such as Clare, East Galway and Kerry had done so badly in recent years.
Mr Dorgan and other executives were before the committee to discuss the IDA’s 2004 annual report, last week.
The IDA boss told the committee members that there had been a dramatic change in the nature of inward investment.
Investors require “large population bases with a strong urban centre,” to create a clustering effect. Industry will go where there are staff and the back-up required to run the business.
Senator Fergal Browne (FG) said IDA facilities were not attracting any investment and questioned the body’s commitment to regional development.
Mr Dorgan said there were 28 business and technology parks of a world class standard nationwide.
Senator Mary White (FF) was ruled out of order when she asked if the use of Shannon by the US military was damaging Ireland’s reputation internationally.