James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I have called for this for years. In addition, we need upgrading of the M4 motorway to continue it from Mullingar to Longford, linking up with the route from Sligo which has come back as far as Rooskey. That area of the midlands has been neglected as has the tourism potential of the region. There should be a greater focus on the development of the midlands in the national spatial strategy but this is not taking place at present.

See this speech in context