James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I also would welcome a debate on the national spatial document even though it is three years too late. It should be debated in conjunction with the national development plan, which is currently in a shambles because of recent Government cutbacks. The announcement this morning is a shocking blow to the people of my county, County Longford, as Senator Leyden said. This is the third blow to Longford. The national gas route was relocated to south Athlone. The location of Cardinal Health in Longford, which promised to create 1,300 jobs, was deferred and now we have no growth status for County Longford. This is a shocking blow. The Government depended on Longford to elect two Government TDs. As Senator Leyden said, Longford and Roscommon have been neglected and let down by the Government. This is a shame. As in the case of the Nice treaty, the Government show goes back to the people on this one.