This article is from page 7 of the 2006-06-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 7 JPG
THE Industrial Development Agency (IDA) has done “nil” for Clare in the last number of years and only offers “lip service” to Clare County Council.
That’s the view of Fianna Fail councillor Peter Considine who launched a blistering attack on the IDA’s recent record in Clare where the Agency has created only seven jobs in new companies over the past five years.
At the Council’s Special Policy Committee on Economic Development on Monday, Cllr Considine said he didn’t believe what the IDA has to say anyone.
“They only pay lip service to the Council. Is there any evidence of what work they have done in Clare? No, there is not a thing.”
Cllr Nagle said that six IDA groups of foreign investors visited Clare in recent months and he hoped improved co-operation would result from the meeting between the IDA and the Council.
However, Cllr Considine said, “What has evolved from the contacts between the IDA and the Council? Nothing.”
He asked that any letter sent to the IDA by the SPC expressing concern over the IDA’s record in Clare be copied to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Michael Martin.
“We wrote before as the IDA’s contribution was nil and, since we wrote that letter, their contribution has been nil.
“When was the last IDA job created in Clare?
“Clare is too close to the Borders Midland Western (BMW) and it is Government policy that 50 per cent of new foreign investment must go into that region.
“That is a political decision and that is why the letter should be copied to the Minister.
“We are very, very low in the pecking order and no one can persuade me that it is any different.”
Cllr Considine was supported by party colleague Cllr Bernard Hanrahan who said the west coast and Ennis in particular was being neglected by the IDA. Cllr Hanrahan said the IDA doesn’t give a damn about Clare.
However, Clare Mayor Patrick Keane (FF) said it wasn’t good to be negative. “The past is the past and we should go forward from today,” he said.
He said the Council should zone more land for industry to make Clare more attractive for investors.
Cllr Nagle also expressed concern over the “extremely negative” attitude at the meeting and said the SPC would write to the new regional IDA boss to express concern over the lack of inward investment into Clare.