Shannon 'Free Zone' Boosts Employment

Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton has just announced the creation of 170 new jobs by two companies at Shannon Free Zone in Co Clare.

ZAGG International Distribution Ltd and CREGG Logistics will create the jobs with the support of government through Shannon Development.

Brian S. Packer, MD of ZAGG International, stated that he expects a total of 300 jobs to be created over the next four years.

Announcing the jobs, Minister Bruton said: This announcement is great news for Shannon and great news for Ireland. The decision by these two companies to announce 170 jobs today is a massive vote of confidence in the region and the Irish economy. I know the company was considering other locations for this investment, and I commend Shannon Development for their work on this project.

He continued: "Government does not create jobs: businesses like ZAGG and CREGG do, but government’s role is to create an environment in which companies like these and others can grow. I am developing plans to achieve growth in the economy and to create and protect jobs through reducing costs for business, improving access to finance, and in innovation and R&D.

"I will be pushing for these measures to be included in the Jobs Initiative at the end of May, and I have also started to develop an ambitious long-term strategy to reform the Irish economy and create real, enterprise-based growth again.

Minister Bruton concluded: "This shows what government and business can do when they work together and shows that there are still many positives in the Irish economy. I will be working hard to ensure that we can build on these positives and get genuine growth going again."

(BMcN/BMcC)