IDA invited to speak to Drogheda council
MEMBERS WANT UPDATE FROM IDA AND LOUTH FORUM ON FDI PROGRESS
COUNCILLORS have agreed to invite officials from IDA Ireland and the Louth Economic Forum to the next Drogheda Municipal District Meeting to update members on what is being done to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the town.
The issue was raised in a notice of motion from Councillor Pio Smith who asked that councillors agree to invite key Deirdre Craven, IDA Ireland and Louth Economic Forum, and Mr Martin Cronin, the Chairman of the Louth Economic Forum to meet with members and update them on the measures being taken to promote Drogheda as a location for FDI companies.
‘We’re not attracting any large companies despite the Drogheda Economic Forum being formed,’ he said, adding Drogheda was not on a par with Dundalk in terms of the services in place. ‘ There is nothing being done to address the fact that the business park is underperforming. We need to get the people in who can answer questions about what is being done to attract investment to Drogheda.’
Supporting the motion, Councillor Kevin Callan said: ‘When you look at Foreign Direct Investment we do underperform. For years now nothing has been done to address the business park which is practically vacant.’ He said this wasn’t helped by the fact that it sits on the border of a different county.
Councillor Tommy Byrne said he believed the town should take the initiative to promote itself by taking out a three or four page ad in a national paper highlighting what the town has to offer.