Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I thank all colleagues for their contributions to the debate and in general terms the welcome for what EU-US open skies will mean to Europe and, more importantly, to Ireland — notwithstanding some of the particular points of which I am well aware such as the concerns in the west. I absolutely reject any idea that I as Minister for Transport during recent years or the Fianna Fáil Party in Government have not fulfilled commitments made to the west. The level of investment in recent years in the west and mid-west in particular is unprecedented, certainly during my tenure in office.

One of the issues I was asked to deal with by interests in Shannon and the west during early discussions on EU open skies was to fast-track a range of infrastructural projects which would demonstrate clearly to the mid-west that the Government's commitment was real. This was raised as an issue in discussions I had with unions and other representative groups. Any fair assessment of this commitment will accept this has happened.

The major motorway on the Atlantic road corridor is well under way. Ennis was bypassed, which brought fantastic benefits and relief to the area.

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