128. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the current position regarding the IDA-owned lands at Ballingarrane in south Tipperary, including the extent to which IDA Ireland is actively promoting the site following the recent grant of planning permission for an advance building; the marketing and investor engagement strategy now being pursued, including international outreach and the inclusion of the site within IDA property portfolios; whether any expressions of interest or inquiries have been received to date; to provide an updated timeline for the delivery of an advanced facility on the lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24947/26]
Sentiment score: 0.31
Will the Minister give an update on the IDA-owned lands at Ballingarrane industrial estate in Clonmel and the extent to which the IDA is actively promoting the site, particularly following the recent granting of planning permission for a 100,000 sq. ft advanced building solution?
Sentiment score: 0.62
It is positive to see that foreign investment is now at record levels. There have been 323 investments in the past 12 months that will realise more than 15,000 jobs. Unfortunately, none of those investments are at Ballingarrane industrial estate. As the Minister said, this is a fully-serviced, strategically located land bank of more than 50 acres. It is in IDA ownership for more than 25 years. We have planning permission for that 100,000 sq. ft advanced building solution. As the Minister knows, Clonmel has a strong track record in terms of delivery, multinational employers, a skilled workforce and a reputation for reliability. Why has it taken so long to get to this point? It is crucial that Ballingarrane is prioritised within the IDA’s international marketing efforts.
Sentiment score: 0.12
I thank the Minister. It was remiss if me not to acknowledge his own visit to the site at Ballingarrane. This site has been in IDA ownership for a very long time. The people I represent want to see tangible results, zoned and fully serviced lands, planning permission secured and a clear opportunity to deliver a flagship facility. I appeal to the Minister personally to keep the pressure on the IDA. I do not want to be asking the same question in six, 12 or 18 months’ time, but I will. I really want to see a timeframe for delivery of an IDA-linked company at this particular site. It is great to see more than 300,000 people now employed in IDA-linked companies. I want to see Clonmel in that number.
Sentiment score: 0.20
133. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his assessment of the recent escalation in retail crime, including theft, organised shoplifting and related antisocial behaviour; the impact this is having on small and family-run retailers, particularly in terms of financial loss, increased operating costs and staff safety concerns; the specific measures, supports or interventions being developed by his Department to assist affected businesses, including with insurance and security costs; the nature of engagement under way with representative bodies and other relevant Departments, including those responsible for justice and policing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24948/26]
Sentiment score: 0.29
The reality on the ground is stark. Retail crime is no longer sporadic; it is systematic. We are seeing organised shoplifting, repeat offenders and a growing sense among retailers that there is little deterrence and few consequences. For small and family-run businesses, retail crime leads to lost income, rising insurance and security costs, and in many cases fear among staff going to work. I hear directly from retailers that feel they are being asked to absorb the cost of crime themselves and that cannot be acceptable because right now the perception, and increasingly the reality, is that retail crime does pay.
Sentiment score: -0.50
We need to do everything we can to support our retailers. They are the real heroes at the local level due to the extent to which they hire locally, spend locally and invest locally. Those same retailers tell me that the offenders are well known. Incidents are frequent and brazen and the system is simply not responding at the pace required. We cannot let the situation continue whereby honest businesses invest, employ people and contribute to their communities while others repeatedly break the law with little fear of consequence. What immediate actions, not long-term plans, will be taken in the next three to six months? Critically, who is taking ownership of this matter across government?
Sentiment score: 0.13