Tánaiste Visits Carlow to Launch the Business and Technology Park Project and Attends the Inaugural Meeting of Carlow County Development Board Partnership Plays A Key Role In Local Development - Harney

During a visit to Carlow today (Monday 27th March, 2000) Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Harney presided over the signing of an agreement between IDA and Carlow County Council for the provision of a 'state of the art' Business Technology Park in the town. The Tánaiste also attended the inaugural meeting of the Carlow County Development Board.

At County Hall the Tánaiste presided over the signing of an agreement between IDA and Carlow County Council for the provision of a £100m 'state of the art' Business Technology Park in the town. The Tánaiste said "This new Business Park will be developed to the highest international standards, thereby enabling Carlow to compete with quality locations in Ireland and in other countries. It will be a major boost to competitiveness in the region and will significantly add to the other advantages enjoyed by Carlow, including its Institute of Technology and its proximity to national transport infrastructure."

The Tánaiste continued "It is envisaged that the new Park will particularly attract investment in the internationally traded services sector, which is increasingly seeking a high quality environment for its businesses and which is a major focus of IDA's promotion for the Carlow area."

Speaking earlier at the Carlow County Development Board meeting in the Dolmen Hotel the Tánaiste said "The setting up of County Development Boards marks the starting point of a new focus in local governance. Through these Boards we are bringing together all the interested parties in a county or city to work in partnership for the overall good of their own area."

"The primary objective of these Boards will be to integrate service delivery across all sectors through the preparation and implementation of a County Strategy for economic, social and cultural development in each county. The County Development Boards will provide the mechanism for greater co-operation and co-ordination by all concerned with the aim of focusing minds on a single strategy adapted to the needs of each particular county," the Tánaiste said.

The Tánaiste continued "I can assure you of full Government backing and state agency support. The Boards have been endorsed in the National Development Plan, the White Paper on Rural Development and in the Partnership for Prosperity and Fairness."

Concluding the Tánaiste said "today I have been present at two new beginnings for Carlow, both of which have come about through the spirit of partnership. I believe that Partnership is the way forward and plays a key role in local development. I have no doubt that both the establishment of the County Development Board, and the launch of the Business and Technology Park will be of enormous benefit to Carlow's continued success."