James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 20:

In page 30, to delete lines 10 to 50 and in page 31, to delete lines 1 to 10.

This amendment relates to the national spatial strategy and I strongly believe it should be approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas. The national spatial strategy was never voted upon but was brought about by Government. Bad decisions were made, especially in the midlands. There was a great deal of ministerial influence at the time and city status was given to three towns in the region, Athlone, Tullamore and Mullingar. Towns such as Portlaoise and Longford were ignored and were not given even hub status. At the time, I was of the view that one town, probably Athlone or Mullingar, should have been given gateway status and all the other towns in the region should have been given hub status. This should be reviewed again.

The national spatial strategy was intended to cover the development of Ireland over a 20 year period but a bad decision was made regarding the midlands. There was too much political influence and although the document should have been voted upon, this did not happen. Any proposal that is as important as the national spatial strategy should be brought before the Houses of the Oireachtas and decided upon there. I was not a Member of either House at the time but I understand there was very little debate on the national spatial strategy document. In other words, a dog's dinner was made of it in regard to the midlands.

We now see the situation of our hospitals and other infrastructure where there is one bit here and another bit there, taken from another place. Communities have been divided and everybody is fighting for their own powers and dominance. This does not benefit the midlands. There is a considerable absence of infrastructure in the region with the continuing downgrading of the Midlands Regional Hospital in Mullingar which is in a prime location on the M4 motorway, the only large hospital on the route between Dublin and Sligo.

There is no rail link between any of the towns in the midlands. When the country was under British rule there was a link between Athlone and Mullingar. Deputy O' Rourke, who is still a Member of this House, proposed to renew that link when she held the portfolio of Minister for Transport. For a long time I have advocated the opening of a rail link-----

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