This article is from page 5 of the 2006-09-14 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 5 JPG
SERIOUS concerns were raised last night about about Clare’s economic future within an enlarged Enterprise Ireland.
Former Clare TD Madeleine Taylor-Quinn was critical of the Government decision allowing the State company take over from Shannon Development, claiming Clare would have to compete for industry with more counties, as part of the enlarged agency.
The Fine Gael general election candidate said responsibility for the area should not be transferred to Enterprise Ireland in its current format.
She argued that the Shannon Free Airport Development Company Organisation (Shannon Development) was effective as an instrument of regional development.
“The Government have done another u-turn. It seems that there is no logical planning within the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and jobs within SFADCO (Shannon Development) and throughout the region are being treated in a haphazard manner.
“Why is this Government intent on dismantling all the structures in this region that are vital and essential to the future development of the area?” she asked.
“It seems to be the case of divide and conquer, while the region and county becomes the sacrificial lamb,” Cllr Taylor-Quinn said.
Shannon Development was remaining tightlipped yesterday evening as news broke that the IDA was no longer to take over its mandate in the Shannon Free Zone.
When contacted by The Clare People , the development company said it had no comment to make on the minister’s apparent change of heart, or his decision to sign over its responsibility for home grown industry to Enterprise Ireland on December 31.