A Galway senator has met with An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar for an update on the potential for investment in the east of the county.
Senator Aisling Dolan from Ballinalsoe spoke to her party colleague Leo Varadkar after his meeting with the West Regional Enterprise Plan’s steering group, to highlight the need for investment in her area which covers east Galway and south Roscommon.
The steering group is chaired by business people and representatives of the Local Authorities, among others.
“A strong focus of the Tánaiste’s meeting with the West Regional Group was on the urgent need for investment in the Ballinasloe region with the recent loss of jobs with Aptar and Bord na Móna,” said Senator Dolan following the meeting.
“It is the end of an era with the closure of the Shannonbridge Power Station. Ballinasloe is a place with great quality of life, clubs and schools with easy access to the motorway and less than an hour and 20 minutes to Dublin Airport.
“With the new Technological University less than 15 minutes away in Athlone, we have a lot to offer potential employers.”
The Fine Gael senator outlined to the Tánaiste that the Ballinasloe area has a strong case for investment, in particular with the Aptar premises which measures over 65,000 square metres and with potential for expansion within the IDA Business Park.
“Leo Varadkar spoke about positive news of jobs in Diligent in Galway and Harmac Medical in Castlerea,” she added.
“With Surmodics in Ballinasloe, we also have a base to build on for further investment in medtech and healthcare.
“He also spoke about the bad news of job losses in Aptar in Ballinasloe and Bord na Móna with the closure of the Shannonbridge Power Plant today. I asked the Tánaiste about plans for investment in our area of East Galway and South Roscommon.
“He noted that IDA Ireland are focused on this area and also highlighted 50 acres of unused land in the IDA industrial park along with the 65,000 square metres in terms of a high quality premises.”
