Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Over the years we have had the refusal of the Galway bypass, the refusal of planning permission for the road from Maam Cross to Clifden, massive delays relating to the road from Maam Cross to Oughterard, the refusal of Páirc na Mara, which was a development by Údarás na Gaeltachta, and recently a court case about Ros an Mhíl. It is beginning to become evident that it is becoming nearly impossible to get any basic infrastructural or economic projects through in Connemara.

I have no doubt that when Europe brought in environmental rules, it never meant to strangle any region economically or socially. Will the Government, therefore, consider setting up a review as to why so many public infrastructural projects in Connemara seem to fail on environmental grounds and how it can be tweaked to get a better balance? I ask that the review be done and if the issue that comes up is in Europe, it be dealt with in Europe and if it is an issue we can deal with, it be dealt with here. We cannot go on forever living in a region that is bereft of adequate infrastructure and economic development.

The Taoiseach: The Deputy will understand why I do not want to comment on any specific case, but I will take the broader point he made, which is fair, about constantly keeping under review the impact of regulations and directives. We are part of the decision-making around the European table. We will ask the question the Deputy fairly asked: is it a matter that we need to speak about at a European level regarding a need for reform or is it how we are implementing it at a national level? I have seen a number of examples. I am concerned about the situation in Lough Funshinagh, where there are unintended consequences, if I can put it politely. Let me take the Deputy's suggestion away and I will come back to him directly on it.

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