I will bring whatever pressure I can to bear to ensure the decentralisation plan is implemented and that it brings about more balanced regional development, to which the provision of adequate employment, infrastructure, housing and public transport in the gateway towns is central. These towns need substantial investment to allow them to grow into self-sufficient centres with city status. Although negative in the short term, the recent slowdown in the economy is a chance for the Government to constructively plan development on the island that will ensure future investment is pumped around the country as a whole, rather than simply poured into a few key urban areas, as has been the case in recent years.