Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I would like a debate next week on the spatial plan. It is with deep concern that we in the Roscommon, Longford and Leitrim region find that the area does not contain any hub town or town targeted for major development. I want to see exactly what implications this will have for rural towns. Does it mean that the IDA and Enterprise Ireland will be directed now not to bring industry to those towns? We must find out this information. It is very important that we discuss this issue next week.

Our region has been neglected for some time. Is this now a signal that this is the policy to be proceeded with? Roscommon, Longford and Leitrim are being excluded from this strategy. The real litmus test will be decentralisation. We must ensure the towns of this region are included in the decentralisation programme.