Leading professor of economics points to success of Mayo town

A leading Irish professor of economics has identified Westport as a key location in Ireland where people want to live and where industrialists are prepared to invest.

Addressing an Oireachtas committee, Professor Edgar Morgenroth said the town has attracted foreign investment because it's an environment with a high quality of life.

He explained if highly educated people wished to live in (a particular area), we might find that certain industries will follow them.

He elaborated: "This has been seen in some places and Westport is a great example.

"It is one of the most remote places on the island, yet economically it is doing very well, and it is not all tourism.

"It has thriving foreign direct investment, FDI, and there is no motorway to there.

"It is an area where people want to live. It is an environment with a high quality of life.

"We need to focus on having an environment with a high quality of life, both on the island of Ireland and in specific areas.

"If we can hold on to people because a particular area is where they want to live, whether that is because they come from there or because we have made the environment attractive for them to be there, industries will follow them."