I wish to raise the need for the development of the IDA site in Fermoy in my constituency of Cork East. Formerly the Fitzgerald Camp Army barracks, the site was handed over by the Department of Defence to the IDA some 23 years ago but it has, unfortunately, remained idle since. This is a massive shame considering the associated infrastructure is in place on-site. However, no tenants have been found in that time. The site is in a prime location only five minutes from the M8 motorway, the main Cork to Dublin route. I am sure the Minister agrees that the development of such a site would be an enormous boost for businesses in Fermoy and across the Blackwater region as a whole. Therefore, I am asking the Minister to examine the matter and to liaise with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to see what can be done to finally kickstart the development of this site.

I acknowledge the role that Deputy McCarthy is playing in trying to support the development of the IDA site in Fermoy. I agree with him regarding the potential it has and the important role it could play in supporting jobs in his community. The IDA is committed to looking at how good and productive use can be made of this site. While it has received some approaches, that has not yet translated into the jobs the Deputy is looking for and that should be available. I will raise the issue. The IDA is aware of it but I will also make sure that the Minister, Deputy Peter Burke, is aware of the point that the Deputy has raised today. The IDA will continue to work with large employers to identify how we can make use of the site and lands to get more jobs into the Deputy’s community and ensure that international employers continue to want to be present in Cork. I thank Deputy McCarthy for his work in this regard. I will make sure the Minister and the IDA are aware of it.