The Western Development Commission (WDC) has welcomed the renewed commitment of the IDA to ensuring that the west wins a greater share of inward investment.

According to the IDA, there was a net decline of 1,200 jobs in IDA-backed enterprises in the Border, midlands and west regions in 1999, in contrast to the net growth of over 8,500 jobs in the east. "At a time of unprecedented economic boom in the State, this grim statistic tells part of the story of real economic disadvantage being suffered by the west - and there is no doubt that a formal policy refocus on the west, as outlined by the IDA, is more than welcome," said a WDC spokesperson.