Michael Finneran (Longford-Roscommon, Fianna Fail)

I appreciate that we need to consider this matter on a regional basis. I do not doubt that the decision that has been rightly made to offer transatlantic flights from Knock Airport will be of major benefit to the region I represent. I understand that further announcements about the airport will be made in the near future.

When I see the economic activity and development in the BMW region, I am reminded that the main Opposition parties were opposed to the concept of a separate BMW region when decisions were being taken on the matter many years ago. The record of the House will show that some of the main players in the Opposition at the time made comments to that effect. The Government's decision to develop the BMW region was a positive one. While the full anticipated levels of investment may not have been made in the region, it seems likely that economic activity there will catch up with the activity in the other region. There has been an increase — of almost 9% — in the population of my constituency for the first time. I understand that the population of the west of Ireland as a whole has increased by approximately 7%. Those increases have resulted from the implementation in the region of the Government's policies.

I compliment the Minister for Finance and his team of officials on introducing the Finance Bill 2007. I refer to the Minister, Deputy Cowen, in particular because he has taken an innovative approach to the further development of the lower Shannon region. He is giving people an opportunity to invest in the development of tourism infrastructure along the Shannon corridor. This Bill will bring many benefits, including increased economic activity, to that area.

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