Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Somehow the truth is not reconciling here because there has been huge development in many parts of the regions. Equally, there have been big investments in Dublin and other urban areas. Post-Covid, it will be very interesting to see what happens because of the development of remote working, rural working hubs and so on. We are now getting a greater concentration of workers outside cities than ever before, which is adding to rural economies and local economies. Very large infrastructural investments are happening in terms of road developments and third level institutions. Far more needs to happen with public transport but there is a longer lead-in time in terms of rail projects. We have had the all-island rail review but there is a longer lead-in time in terms of that.

We need clarity on roads and the next Government and the next programme for Government should be very clear on roads in terms of what we want to get done and get it done. That is an issue, although an awful lot has been done. The inflation we spoke about earlier has driven road projects excessively over budget. It is simply because of building materials post-Covid and the energy crisis following Ukraine, which we stabilised.

Over €175 million was spent on the Atlantic Technological University in 2023. Good capital projects are happening there. Under call 3 of the urban regeneration and development fund, €20 million has been allocated to the north west. The Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge road is a huge project. It is significantly over budget before anyone starts roaring, or not roaring but complaining, about it yet everybody wants it. We approved it even though we knew it has gone significantly over what was originally envisaged. The Westport to Turlough road opened in June 2023. Ireland West Airport has been designated as a strategic development zone. We went against all the economists 30 or more years ago when Knock Airport was established so efforts have always been made to go against the grain in respect of investment in the regions. I am committed to investment in the regions and the cities and towns in the regions.

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