Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If any economist thinks their science is an exact science they are probably worth upsetting. The amount of uncertainty and change that has happened in the economy in the past number of years means predictions and forecasts about what will happen have to be humble and acknowledge the degree of uncertainty and volatility in the global economy and the effect it can have in Ireland. We do our best, through the publication of the regional reports mentioned earlier, to provide relevant information on the status of individual projects. I know it is always the case, as the Deputy has said, that public representatives from each part of the country will make the case for more investment within their own community and counties. However, overall the national development plan and national planning framework have made great efforts to achieve regional balance. If we were to be successful in delivering the majority of projects, which I believe we will be, we will have gone a long way to deliver the regional balance we have acknowledged to be important for so long.

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