Dáil debates

Wednesday, 10 April 2019

Rural and Community Development: Statements

 

8:30 pm

Photo of Tony McLoughlinTony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----although they never miss a trick, fair play to them.

In my constituency of Sligo-Leitrim, planning applications have increased, new house completions are up, unemployment is down and tourist numbers are up thanks to the Wild Atlantic Way. Some 1,450 new jobs in Sligo were announced last year. Regional and local road funding allocations are higher than they were previously. We have seen construction commence on the long awaited N4 and the western distributor road at a cost in the region of €100 million. Deputy Scanlon mentioned that many times in the past.

The Minister, Deputy Ring, has ensured the development of an international mountain bike facility in Coolaney, in County Sligo, on which millions of euro are being spent. We have more walking trails and hikes than ever before thanks to the Minister's outdoor recreation scheme and Sligo County Council staff. We have seen the creation of the Blue Way in Drumshanbo. Those are a few examples of the amount of money that has been spent in my constituency.

Rural Ireland is in a better place now than it was in 2011 when we picked up the mess left before us. Rural Ireland is growing. It has its problems but we are the only party with a plan in place to ensure its future development and with the Minister, Deputy Ring, at the helm, we are guaranteed that rural Ireland's place at the Cabinet table will not be forgotten.

It is only right and proper that we acknowledge the work that has been done. At many meetings on many occasions in the past the work the Minister is doing in looking after rural Ireland has been acknowledged by both the Fine Gael Party and various other Opposition parties. Long may he continue to do that. I know that is what he will do in the years to come.

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