IDA investment in Kerry versus Cork
Foley alleged that Kerry received less IDA funding than Cork, citing the 1981 report. The Minister said the IDA denied favouring Cork and pointed to 160 approved Kerry projects since 1980, involving over £32 million in projected investment.
In view of the imbalance of funds between Cork and Kerry, would the Minister readjust that imbalance?
Comment on this
The Deputy made that statement here before. I promised him I would inquire into that allegation with the IDA. They informed me that they do not accept that there has been any preference given to the county of Cork as against that of Kerry by the authority.
Comment on this
The Minister undertook to send me certain information arising out of those questions.
Comment on this
I have the Deputy's letter here. It does not relate to this particular matter. The Deputy was inquiring about business——
Comment on this
I can assure the Leader of the Opposition that he will have a letter from me within the next five days.
Comment on this
I wish to draw the Minister's attention to the 1981 IDA report which sets out the imbalance between Cork and Kerry.
Comment on this
You cannot take one IDA report in isolation. If you did that you would find an unbalanced situation as I did in respect of my own county some months ago when I tried to examine how it was affected in 1981. If the Deputy takes a number of years together he will see that since 1980 the IDA have approved 160 projects involving a projected investment of over £32 million to County Kerry, of which the IDA are committed to subscribing over £17 million. That is no small investment.