Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am very pleased to hear that the N5 Scramoge to Ballaghaderreen project was approved by Cabinet today and will now progress to the construction phase. I know the Taoiseach was fully supportive of this project when concerns were brought to his attention following the collapse of Roadbridge. This is a long-awaited project that is now estimated to cost in the region of €450 million. It will have a significant impact on the safety and quality of life of people in Counties Mayo and Roscommon and beyond. I acknowledge the Government's commitment in that regard.

I will also focus attention on the current capital programme, which I feel does not go far enough to address the major challenges facing our country, and on the need to continue to ensure balanced regional development. Over the next ten years, we will see a major transformation in Ireland with a growing population and an aging society. We therefore need to invest in new infrastructure and services to support growth and to ensure everyone can benefit from the opportunities ahead. We must continue to invest in our regional airports programme, in rail and in roads. We need enhanced capital funding to be provided for this. The Taoiseach has been a real champion of Knock airport and will know that it is a vital piece of infrastructure in our county, supporting tourism, business and regional growth. We need to continue to invest in Knock airport and in the rail network. I advocate strongly for the inclusion of the western rail corridor, a pivotal project in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review. I ask that these projects be supported in the revised capital programme.

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