Kerry IBEC seeks urgent action on job creation

SERIOUS concern about the failure to attract new industrial projects to Kerry was voiced at the annual Kerry IBEC dinner, in Killarney, at the weekend.

Kerry IBEC regional president John Coffey said there had been 1,050 redundancies across a wide range of companies in the county, since January 2003, but no new greenfield project had been attracted in the last five years.

“This is one of the key issues that we call on the Government to focus on,” he said.

Mr Coffey, director of Liebherr Container Cranes, Killarney, also said the region needed priority Government action on issues such as infrastructure, competitiveness and enhanced branding.

He said cost competitiveness of business was being totally undermined, resulting in job losses and company closures.

A recent survey of Kerry IBEC members showed that non-pay costs, including insurance and energy, had increased by an average of 17%, in 2004, and a further 10% in the current year.

Calling the Government to address the competitiveness problem, he said the existing corporation tax rate had to stay, native companies had to be helped sell and distribute in export markets and more foreign investment had to be attracted.

Mr Coffey also called for significant investment in Kerry Airport, roads and the rail service.

He also said the telecoms infrastructure in Kerry was way behind other parts of the country.

The dinner, in the Great Southern Hotel, Killarney, was attended by 450 people, including Trade and Enterprise Minister Micheal Martin and IBEC director general Turlough O’Sullivan.