Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I indicated, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has already informed the House that there is no policy or plan to develop the specific concept referred to by the Deputy, the so-called western arc. There is no plan to develop an eastern arc either. Following discussion of this issue in the public domain, I understand the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ring, organised for a deputation from the west to meet officials in the Department and there was a significant discussion of the concept. The investment suggested by the Deputy involves quite a complex process and is primarily designed to create inter-country rather than internal linkages. However, I will undertake to discuss the issue further with the Minister.

The Deputy is aware that we are on the cusp of developing the final section of the M17-M18 motorway. I am hopeful the project will proceed to construction next year. This will provide a significant arterial transport corridor, stretching from Limerick to Sligo and linking some of the significant towns and cities mentioned. There is major and ongoing investment in the west. The Government is committed to achieving balanced regional development and the investment we are making reflects this. We want to leverage private sector investment, particularly in the roll-out of broadband, and are confident we can do this. We already see the tangible results of that policy on investment in the west and I hope we will see further results in the future.

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