The National Development Plan 2000-2006 suffered because the jigsaw was not fully in place. The national spatial strategy emerged only recently, but it should have been drawn up in tandem with the national development plan. In terms of spreading investment in the direction of gateways and hubs, we have lost much valuable time – potentially a few years – whereas many of those infrastructural projects could have been dovetailed into those areas. Waterford has been designated as a gateway town, while its regional airport is under threat and may close down. From a transport point of view, surely that should be a vital cog in the area.