TD accuses IDA Ireland of showing favouritism to Westmeath over Offaly
In the Dáil today (Thursday), Offaly Fianna Fáil TD Tony McCormack accused IDA Ireland of showing favouritism to Westmeath over his own county when it comes to attracting inward investment and employment from companies.
He said the IDA had organised more than five times as many site visits to Westmeath than to Offaly from companies considering investment during the last ten years.
"IDA Ireland is also overnighting most of these itineraries in Athlone, where it wines and dines potential clients and, therefore, has a better chance of landing them in the area," Deputy McCormack told the Dáil.
"The people of Offaly will not stand for being ignored or pawned off by a State agency that is supposed to treat all counties equally."
He said that in the last decade there had been 240 site visits to Westmeath, organised by IDA Ireland, but only 45 to Offaly.
The TD asked if the Government accepted that this "looks like favouritism" and he questioned what steps would be taken "to ensure that IDA Ireland directs more visits and resources to Offaly."
The TD's Dáil question was addressed to the Minister for Enterprise, Westmeath Fine Gael representative Peter Burke, but it was Minister of State Niamh Smyth who was present to respond on behalf of the Government.
"While (Deputy McCormack) gives us the figures regarding what is going to Westmeath and Offaly, there can be many reasons for that, although I am not defending it in any way," said the Minister of State.
"If the Deputy would like me to facilitate a meeting between him and IDA Ireland, regarding the visits to county Offaly, to see if there is more we can do to bolster those visits, I would be more than happy to try to facilitate him."
Responding, Deputy McCormack said he'd had meetings with IDA Ireland before but had been given "very little information" at the meetings because of it being withheld due to commercial sensitivities.
"IDA Ireland-supported employment in the Midlands fell last year by 0.45%," said the Fianna Fáil TD.
"Offaly’s only IDA Ireland business park is already full. We need another park. Without new sites and investment, Offaly simply cannot compete with neighbouring counties.
"What commitment can the Minister of State give today that Offaly will see targeted IDA Ireland investment, including a newly expanded advance business park in Tullamore, with a clear timeline for delivery, as part of its new national plan?
"Tullamore was earmarked for an advance unit. Without the space to build, however, this will not happen," he said.
Minister of State Smyth said she accepted the points made by Deputy McCormack, which she described as "very valid", and added that she would raise them with IDA Ireland.
"As somebody from Cavan-Monaghan, I know that we do not get many visits either, so I feel his pain," she said.
"From my dealings with IDA Ireland so far, I know that sometimes it cannot dictate where companies go because their representatives come with particular requirements or a vision in their heads as to where they want to go.
"I take the point that a balance has to be struck if we are to create the proper regional development that we are all concerned about," she stated.