Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to begin by welcoming the Government's new capital investment plan which will ensure that over €27 billion will be spent on vital State infrastructure, including schools, hospitals and roads between 2016 and 2021. This new capital investment plan is affordable and sensible and it is consistent with the Government's plan to eliminate borrowing by 2018. As well as providing improved State infrastructure, the plan will also promote regional economic growth, supporting 45,000 construction jobs over the lifetime of the plan.

It is clear to see that the economic decisions taken by this Government have brought us to an important time in our national recovery. We are now, once again, the fastest growing economy in Europe and we are creating over 1,300 new jobs a week. This new capital plan will help to spread this recovery around the country where we know many families have yet to feel its effects.

In particular, I am delighted that the provision of €102 million in funding for the upgrade of the N4 in County Sligo and also that the construction of a new €20 million bridge over the Garavogue River in Sligo Town have been included in the plan. When I spoke with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Donohoe, about these two vital projects, I impressed upon them the urgent need to secure funding for them in this plan. I advised them both that these were two vital components of the future economic development of County Sligo.

The Acting Chairman, Deputy Twomey, may be aware that the Collooney-to-Castlebaldwin section of the N4 is one of the most deadly strips of road in the country, with 30 tragic fatalities occurring on this section of road over the past two decades. This particular road had been neglected time and again under consecutive Fianna Fáil Governments over the past 20 years. Therefore, I am delighted that despite the constraints on the national finances at present, this Fine Gael-led Government has now delivered funding for this vital piece of road infrastructure to the people of Sligo.

The N4 upgrade will be a significant boost to County Sligo and the wider north-west region. Full planning permission has already been secured for the N4 extension and with the funding now in place, plans to build it can proceed immediately. Infrastructure developments such as the N4 will be crucial in attracting inward investment to the region, not to mention increased tourists visiting the county.

I reiterate these two particular projects contained in this plan are crucial for the ongoing drive to create jobs in County Sligo. We are making significant progress in fixing our local economy and attracting investment to Sligo at present. The fact that Sligo will receive two of the biggest road infrastructure projects in this plan will benefit these attempts and I look forward to the funding being provided.

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