James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I have called in the past for a debate on the massive underspend of €650 million in the national development plan on the BMW region, which has Objective One status, and I now do so again. I have highlighted this in the past and I have called on the Leader for a debate on the mid-term review of the BMW region. I want the Government to embark on a programme of real investment in the region. There will be significant decentralisation to the midlands and the west and it is important to have the proper infrastructure in place.

Rumour is rampant in the midlands and in the House that the new EU Commissioner will be announced by the end of the month and there is speculation that the Leader's name has been put forward for that position.