SHANNON Development injected £54 million into the midwestern regional economy during the past year. Sectors which benefited included tourism, industry, rural development, property, construction, telecommunications and services.

Chief executive Mr Paul Sheane said jobs at the Shannon Free Zone reached an all-time high of 5,850, a 5 per cent increase on the previous year.

Grants from the EU and the Government to home and overseas industries in the region amounted to £26 million.

Mr Sheane made a call for the strengthening of regions "in order to fully develop the potential of the national economy". He said the development company had secured £11 million in European funding out of a total investment of £27 million for 37 tourism projects in the region.