Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her statement and welcome her views. At present, 50% of the country's population resides in the Leinster area. The challenge ahead will be to prevent that area from growing further at the expense of the regions and, consequently, the future spatial strategy will be of great importance to the future of the west. I welcome the consultation and again welcome the Minister of State's understanding of the importance of the gateways.

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