asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the number of overseas industrialists the IDA invited to visit this country this year; and the number of these who were brought to County Donegal.

Limerick East): I am informed by the Industrial Development Authority that visits to Ireland by overseas industrialists can result from a variety of activities by the IDA and normally take place only after extensive contacts over a long period between the IDA's overseas offices and the companies concerned.

The number of overseas companies from which representatives visited Ireland this year as a result of IDA contacts was 386 up to the end of September. Of these, seven visited Donegal although many others would have been acquainted with the Donegal region through presentations in IDA's headquarters.