‘No political will’ to attract jobs
No Government-backed jobs have been secured for the region in almost a decade, spurring Wexford County Council to set up a special committee to bring employment and investment into the region.
Independent Councillor Declan McPartlin said a lack of political will was to blame and pressure must now be put on the Government and its agencies to bring jobs to the region.
“[The situation] is specifically down to the absence of political clout. I was particularly disappointed with the response of the county manager who said that everything that can be done, is being done.”
An IDA spokesperson said the organisation has been involved in investment in a number of business parks in the area and it was unfair to say it was being overlooked.
Junior Marine Minister John Browne said attracting jobs to the region had proven extremely difficult, despite its proximity to Dublin and the availability of land.
“Brendan Howlin, in fairness to him, had a huge tract of land designated in Rosslare, right beside the port. But there has been no interest in it,” he said.
Fine Gael Councillor, Michael D’Arcy Jnr, said the Government owns just four or five acres in the Gorey area alone and it’s far too small a landbank.
