merrion street

Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister of State for Regional Economic Development Michael Ring today announced the establishment of the Atlantic Economic Corridor Taskforce in Breaffy House Resort, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. 

The Taskforce will provide a platform for collaboration between stakeholders from the private sector, the public sector and the wider community, to identify how best an economic corridor can be created along the Atlantic seaboard. 

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Taskforce in Castlebar, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said:

We have many excellent assets to support a strong value proposition for investment along the western seaboard, but we need co-ordinated action to maximise the potential of those assets.  The Regional Action Plan on Jobs West also seeks to build upon the local strengths of the region and today brings together the organisations that can work together to help achieve this.

Following the launch of Realising our Rural Potential: The Action Plan for Rural Development last January, the establishment of this Taskforce is one of the actions committed to in the plan.

Minister Ring, who will chair the Taskforce, said:

There is huge potential in the area covered by the proposed Atlantic Economic Corridor.  It is absolutely vital that we work together - that is the public sector, private sector and the community sector - to ensure that we maximise this potential in terms of natural resources, tourism, infrastructure and human capital, to increase the prosperity of the region and bring new investment to the cities and towns along the Atlantic seaboard.  It is important, also, that through the Atlantic Economic Corridor, we create new opportunities for rural communities in the region.