Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

——particularly by the then Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, who consulted and was of course lobbied by Members on all sides of both Houses to give hub or gateway status to various regions and towns. I am glad that Tuam has hub status but it needs development.

There are many issues we could discuss. The Minister of State has given a very good explanation of what is happening. I am glad we have made progress. I admit, as no doubt will the Minister of State, that there are areas in which we have not made progress. It is important that the towns not so far included should have their problems sorted out. The NRA is an important body for which I have great regard and I greatly admire its work. The Minister told me that it is so busy with its roads programme that it has not got down to the basics of moving to Ballinasloe. Hopefully the NRA will sort out its problems and we will see it taking its first steps in terms of moving to the town.