Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

During the programme for Government talks, we and the Rural Independent Group fought hard to get the Government to address regional imbalances in economic activity. What is happening in this area? A recent EUROSTAT report states that over 50% of all economic activity in Ireland is now based in Dublin, the highest rate in any European country. This is a bad development. Dublin cannot cope and we badly need economic activity in rural Ireland. In line with the commitment in the programme for Government, what will the Taoiseach do to fast-track moving some badly-needed investment to the regions, especially to rural areas? We can cope with it because we have the road network and everything else. It cannot all be in Dublin.

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