Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach. He spoke of people wanting to work, study and live in the regions and of winning hearts and minds. What he needs to do is build houses. Stop talking about hearts and minds or community centres here and there, although the latter are welcome and great to see. I am talking about the big-ticket items, and the Taoiseach knows that. I am talking about systemic investment in the regions and investment in big projects like roads and health infrastructure.

Time and time again, different Ministers and taoisigh tell me about the bits and pieces that come to the region. Of course they do. They go to all regions, but that is not what I am talking about. The Taoiseach knows I am talking about major investments. I told him the EU Commission - not me - ranks the northern and western region in the bottom 10% of all EU regions for major infrastructure. The Taoiseach cannot get away with telling me he is giving a bit of money here and there. The Government needs to systematically look at this, change direction and ensure that it builds the houses that are not being built.

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