Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This always happens. The Tánaiste lists a few projects. Of course, I do not dispute that they are happening but he ignores the overall abysmal picture. He ignores the facts and does not deal with them. He does not come back to me and say "Well, Deputy Harkin, actually you are wrong about the completions in housing, wrong about the fact that we do not spend a reasonable amount in the northern and western region and wrong about all the facts that you put before me." The Tánaiste does not do any of that. He talks about a project here and a project there. Of course, he is right but that is the problem. The problem is the mindset that thinks that if the Government can give a bit here and a bit there, that is balanced regional development. It is not. I will give an example.

For example, a half hour ago, I spoke to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, about the strategic rail review. I spoke about the Dublin-Sligo rail line. He talked about the new projects and mentioned balanced regional development twice. He said there were projects in Cork, Galway, Waterford and Limerick, as well as Dublin. That is the mindset I am speaking about. Until that changes, I or somebody else will be making this argument week after week and month after month in this House and we will not be making progress.

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