Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Why do we still need public ownership of Shannon development? Should the Western Development Commission still get more than €2 million of public money year after year on the nod, to add to its €72 million investment portfolio? The regional problems those organisations set out to address are fully resolved. One might question if they are now victims of their own success. It is hard to argue against the recent €108 million endowment of the just transition fund for the midlands and another €28 million for the Border fund, but the south-east region is in the same economic situation as the midlands and Border regions. Surely it also needs a similar strategic development agency and fund. Will the Taoiseach give any commitment that such oversight, presumably related to lack of attention from Cabinet, will be remedied? Will he commit, on behalf of the Government, to the formation and implementation of a nationally funded, dedicated strategic development agency for the south-east region to address the ongoing regional economic deficits which have prevailed unattended for far too long?

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