Tony McCormack
Offaly · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“I welcome the continued success of the agrifood sector. It is one of Ireland's greatest national success stories, supporting thousands of jobs, sustaining rural communities and making an enormous contribution to our economy. We are really proud of our Offaly food companies like Glenisk, Tullamore Dew and others.”
“Ireland's reputation as one of the world's leading food producing nations has been built over generations through quality, innovation and unwavering commitment to high standards. However, it cannot be taken for granted.”
“We all know the importance of the agri sector and in particular the agrifood sector. In the ever-changing geopolitical world we live in today, food safety is becoming even more important, while we must also focus on our economy and growing our exports.”
“Will the Minister outline what new initiatives his Department is bringing forward, working with the likes of Teagasc, Bord Bia and industry, to ensure Ireland remains among the world's most competitive, innovative and trusted food producing nations for the next generation?”
“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.”
“I commend the Minister and his Department on the priority they have placed on lifelong learning. It is something we should be very proud of. We now have the highest level of third level education attainment in the European Union, with over 65% of young adults holding a third level qualification.”
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“I thank the Minister of State. We are all very happy with the endeavours of the IDA. As I said in my question, the IDA is a world leader in what it does in attracting foreign direct investment into Ireland. In fact, it is so good that it is copied by many other countries around the place. We talk about the 50% of companies that the IDA will endeavour to locate outside of the Dublin region. Unfortunately, this was the case in the previous plan and the plan previous to that and again, unfortunately, we have not had 50% of the companies located outside the Dublin area. I would like to impose on the Minister of State to talk to the IDA and ensure that the 50% is upheld and that we get balanced growth right across the country.”
“This will take a lot of thinking outside the box and putting in place the right supports to help our town centres thrive and not just survive. What are we doing to maintain our competitiveness? How are we working to improve it? What supports are available for the workers of these two companies, considering some of them are in the autumn of their working careers?”
“We have so much going for us with our great educated workforce, a stable Government, a stable business environment and a keen corporation tax of 15%, while also being an English-speaking country with access to European markets. All of this is good but we need to be careful. We do not need to price ourselves out of the market. We seem to be slipping down the competitiveness table when it comes to attracting new companies here. We must not let this happen. We must reverse this slide and start climbing up the table again. I cannot mention foreign direct investment companies alone. We need to look at our small and medium sized indigenous businesses also, and make it easier for them to do business here. We need to take a serious look at how we will bring our town centres back to life and attract retail stores back to our high streets.”
“It looks as though this decision was made by an accountant in United States because the cost of business doing here is too high. In the case of Nelipak Healthcare the jobs went outside of Ireland also. Every one of these jobs represents a family and a livelihood. I wish those people the best of luck in their endeavours to gain new employment. We need to look after these people by upskilling or reskilling them. When I speak to similar companies they tell me about the cost of employing somebody in Ireland. They tell me about the red tape involved in doing business here, which is time consuming and costly. Rates are higher, the price of utilities is higher and housing for employees is a big problem.”
“Recently, in my constituency of Offaly we lost jobs. Approximately 300 jobs were lost in Cardinal Health, a company that was in Tullamore for more than 40 years. Many of the employees had been there for 20 or 30 years or more. The company contributed greatly to the economy of Offaly over its lifetime. More recently, 40 more jobs went at Nelipak Healthcare in Clara, another company that provided great employment in our county for many years. My information is that in both cases the jobs went elsewhere. In the case of Cardinal Health in Tullamore, which was a very profitable arm of the company I might add, one of the three lines it manufactured was discontinued, the second went to Costa Rica and the other went to Mexico.”
“I want to speak about Ireland's position as a leading destination for foreign direct investment and, more importantly, our competitiveness. Over the past decades Ireland has built a strong reputation as an attractive location for multinational companies. However, in a rapidly changing global economy staying competitive requires continuous work, not only in attracting new investment but also in maintaining companies that are already here. Ireland's success in attracting foreign direct investment is no accident. Our economy offers a unique combination of factors to make us an appealing choice for multinational companies. IDA Ireland is a big part of this success and is a leader in the world at what it does. Attracting new investment is important but keeping the companies already here is just as critical.”
“We also need parks in Birr and Edenderry so we can have our young people stay in Offaly and have jobs for them so they can live, rest and raise a family in our beautiful county, while attracting others to live there also. Farming is the backbone of our country. We need to look after our farmers. We need to make sure we work with Europe to get the extension to the nitrates derogation. We need to make sure the farming products coming into Europe from South America under the Mercosur deal are produced to the same standard and adhere to the same legislation as the high-quality produce of our farmers. We need to make farming more attractive to young farmers so they can make it a lifetime career. I am happy to say the programme for Government has a lot to protect farming in Ireland. I am honoured to be here to represent County Offaly.”
“If the link road was put back in the roads programme tomorrow morning, it would take until 2032 to build, and that would be if there were no issues. This is the second time the road has got to the stage of a route being chosen. For value for money for the Exchequer and for the safety of the people and its users, we need this road now and not later. I am delighted that as part of the programme for Government we will endeavour to have more than 50% of new foreign direct investment businesses in Ireland locating outside of Dublin and Cork. I recognise the good work IDA Ireland does. It is the leader in what it does throughout the world. The IDA Ireland park in Tullamore is full and we need a new park to be purchased and made ready for new companies.”
“Significant investment in roads throughout the country is part of the programme. The N52 link road needs to be delivered and needs to be put back on the roads programme soon. Parents and children face a daily danger navigating the high road junction in Durrow on their way to school and creche, while other residents risk similar hazards going to mass each day. The Durrow High Cross Committee is eager to build an interpretive centre highlighting the area's rich monastic history, including St. Columcille, the Book of Durrow, the abbey and the history attached to the area but this will be stalled until the new link road has been constructed. We need this road for the growth of business in Tullamore. This involves more than 19,000 traffic movements per day, which is way over capacity and growing at 5% per year.”
“While campaigning I highlighted that Offaly School of Special Education needed a physical therapist reinstated. I am delighted that as part of the programme for Government we will have these therapists reinstated throughout the country. We need this done sooner rather than later. When campaigning, I also met local carers, most of them mothers. I was very moved by their stories of accessing services for their children. I am delighted to see the Government will take out means-testing for the carer's payment during its lifetime. We need to do more for these families. We need to remove the red tape they encounter on a daily basis as they try to access services. This is something that would make their lives much easier. They are only trying to access services to which they are entitled.”
“This is my first time to address the Dáil and I am delighted to be here as an elected Member representing County Offaly. As we know, this does not happen without the hard work of a lot of people because nobody can do this on their own. I want to put on the record of the Dáil my sincere thanks to my family, friends, fellow party members, my two directors of election, Peter Waters and my brother Matt, and, of course, the faithful people of our proud county of Offaly for the trust they have put in me. I will do everything I can to make Offaly a great place to work, rest and raise a family. When I look at the programme for Government I see ambition. I see a pathway to the future for all of our country, young and old. I see a special emphasis on disabilities.”