I welcome the continued success of IDA Ireland in attracting foreign direct investment at a time when global competition for investment has never been more intense. Today, companies are looking for countries that can provide certainty, speed, skilled people and investment-ready sites. Offaly is well positioned to compete in this. IDA Ireland has already demonstrated its confidence in the county by acquiring a strategic site for future industrial development. However, the land alone does not attract investment. Companies need sites that are fully serviced and ready for development. Will the Tánaiste support prioritising the enabling of infrastructure needed to bring this site to market as quickly as possible? The race for investment does not begin when a company contacts IDA Ireland. It begins years earlier when the Government ensures that strategic sites are ready to compete. If we are serious about balanced regional development, counties like Offaly must be equipped to win the next generation of investment and the high-quality jobs that come with it.

Sentiment score: 0.33