Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I know that. I have noted local newspaper coverage of the misrepresentation of some of the replies I have given on this matter in the Deputy's part of the country, not only from the Deputy but from other Deputies.

We have a national plan for 2000 to 2006. The funding is being rolled out. While the plan runs to the end of 2006, the impact of some of the funding will be evident beyond 2006. We are preparing a national development plan for 2007 to 2013. The level of investment in all parts of the BMW region is unprecedented. Whether the major infrastructural projects commenced in the first instance in the southern and eastern regions, for example, the tunnel project, they benefited all parts of the country, although they happen to be located in a particular region. To suggest that we should get involved in some type of geographical apartheid in regard to the disbursement of funds is a flawed approach.

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