Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thought it was telling that in the 11 minutes of the contribution from the Minister, Deputy Ross, he took a whole 1 minute and 30 seconds to talk about his own Department and what he is doing or, indeed, not doing, for example, in terms of local improvement schemes. I am not even sure he knows what an LIS is, given there might not be many of them being done out in the principality. However, it is something that is very badly needed throughout the country. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle, being a proud Donegal man, will know well what I am talking about.

In terms of those budget measures which have our fingerprints on them, of course, we are proud of them, but this was the Government's budget. I am afraid the budget lacked a strategic vision for my part of the country which would enable our regions to begin to perform to their potential. While no Government is without blame in terms of regional neglect over the years, this budget provided a real opportunity for us to front-load infrastructure projects throughout the country. It was an opportunity to say we are going to put our best foot forward, push the boat out and enable the regions to begin to perform to their potential. Instead of being seen as pain in the national side, placated with an odd bone of €100 million or €200 million now and again, we would take a strategic approach and ask what the north-west region can do for us in regard to tourism, agriculture, small industry and SMEs.

It cannot do this without there being access to the region. There is not a single kilometre of motorway in our region, and it is the Minister, Deputy Ross' Department that is responsible for this area, with other Cabinet Ministers. I recently saw a map from 1729 which showed the road network of the country and, when put against the motorway network for 2016, they exactly fit one on top of the other. That is 300 years of neglect for the region and it is being continued by this Government. No strategic approach has been taken in order to put these regions to work and to acknowledge the initiative and innovation that the people have and what they are prepared to put into play to make a sustainable contribution to the national effort. We are ignoring that aspect.

Yesterday, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, spoke about bringing borrowing down to enable a 45% debt-to-GDP ratio.

That is ridiculous in this day and age. While it is honourable in terms of keeping our debt levels low, we must take cognisance of the fact that we are not dealing with a blank canvas or complete suite of infrastructure throughout the country to allow us to perform to our potential. We have huge deficits in various areas. It is perfectly reasonable for us - this might be a personal view - to keep debt levels close to 90% provided that the 12%, namely, the difference between the current rate of 78% and 90%, is used specifically to front-load projects such as a motorway on the M5 or M4, not just at Kinnegad, or a motorway linking Knock airport to the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's constituency to the north or to Shannon down south. That is what is called strategic vision. That might enable the regions to realise their vast potential in tourism and other sectors. That potential could soon be brought into play in order to make a proper, sustainable contribution to the national effort rather than the piecemeal approach that was taken yesterday by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, who made a fleeting reference to balanced regional development towards the end of his speech. The people of Sligo, Donegal, Leitrim, Cavan and many other counties throughout the country are laughing heartily at such a suggestion.

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