Industrial Development
Dail Éireann — 2026-01-13
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Peter Burke (FG), Longford-Westmeath

I take on board Deputy Fleming's comments. I will work with the IDA on attracting foreign direct investment into the region. We have increased our regional target, which is very important, to get as many jobs as we can. We are working through our capital programme, in which we have about €500 million for regional buildings, to put the infrastructure in place around them and ensure they are in the best position to attract investment.
Visitor numbers are up in the midlands but I will add a note of caution. We are operating in an uncertain political environment. We know the pressures on the global stage regarding attracting investment, which will be acute in 2026. Notwithstanding that, with our indigenous agencies, Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, we will do our best to reflect the Deputy's concerns and will try to do better in 2026.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-01-13/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:30+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-01-13