Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan Brendan Smith has called on the IDA to focus attention on the Cavan-Monaghan area in order to secure investment for the region.  Deputy Smith attended the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs & Trade Committee meeting this week, which focused on the IDA’s business activities in developing growth markets.

Speaking after the meeting, Deputy Smith said, “The IDA has been integral in attracting major investment to our country and with dramatic improvements in infrastructure over the past 15 years there is now an opportunity to market Cavan and Monaghan as attractive locations for new industries to base themselves.

“Independent research has highlighted the fact that the economic recovery is not being spread to all regions, and the two tier economy is becoming increasingly evident.  The bulk of all recent jobs announcements have been concentrated almost exclusively in Dublin and the commuter belt.  This Government has failed to create a balanced regional jobs policy, choosing instead to focus on the eastern half of the country.

“Fianna Fáil has consistently argued that a new strategy is needed to create a better balance of social, economic and infrastructure development across the entire country.  Areas like Cavan and Monaghan must be prioritised for investment.  Both counties have excellent road links with easy access to the main airports and ports – an important asset which did not exist ten years ago.

“Advances and investment in education and training facilities has resulted in a range of highly skilled trades and professions in the region and the IDA, along with other state agencies tasked with bringing investment and jobs to Ireland should be conscious of the talented workforce in Cavan and Monaghan when they are weighing up future opportunities”, concluded Deputy Smith.

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