Tánaiste Says He's Working To Attract Major Investment To The Midlands

Thursday, 28 October 2021 16:26

Leo Varadkar made the comment while visiting a company in Mullingar.

The Tánaiste says he's working towards attracting a major company to Westmeath.

Leo Varadkar is in the midlands today, Thursday, visiting Robotics and Drives, which designs robots for Irish and international clients, including the likes of Procter & Gamble and Pepsi.

Mr. Varadkar says funding has been included in the government's capital plan to develop an Advanced Building Solution in Mullingar's IDA Park, to entice a large investor to the area:

"We have funding the capital plan to develop an Advanced Building Solution there, get a major investment into Mullingar, which I think would be an objective for us over the next couple of years.

"We know from around the country that where we've put in place Advanced Building Solutions - about 11 now - the investment comes.

"I'm very keen to see that done and I know Minister Burke and Minister Troy are as well."

Minister Peter Burke and Tánaiste Leo Varadkar pictured with the management team at Robotics and Drives

Junior Minister and Longford-Westmeath Fine Gael TD Peter Burke says the government is consistently investing in the area through the National Development Plan.

Speaking during the Tánaiste's visit to Robotics and Drives, he remarked on how the area has become "a hub of excellence" with highly-skilled jobs, along with a number of jobs announcements and expansions in recent months.

Minister Burke says the Advanced Building Solution "will be a huge asset to Marlinstown and the greater area".

He added "we need to really work hard to get that through planning permission...and ensure that we have really good high paid jobs for the locality here."

Tánaiste @LeoVaradkar visiting @RoboticsDrives in Mullingar today.

Says it's great to see an innovative Irish company doing so well and gaining market share around the world.

They're planning to double their operations in next 2-3 yrs.

More on @Midlands103 📻@peterburkefg pic.twitter.com/VDoSVkByvm
— Ellen Butler (@LN_but) October 28, 2021

The Fine Gael rep reaffirmed the government's commitment to the area, when asked if the recent prosperity is purely the result of himself and constituency colleague, Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy becoming ministers of state last year.

He cited the level of capital investment in schools, roads and Mullingar Regional Hospital is in line with their long-term efforts to promote the wider area for development.