Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

A report entitled Rural Ireland 2025, which is the latest in a very long line of reports on rural Ireland produced over the last number of years, was launched yesterday. Could the Acting Leader arrange a series of debates on this issue? While much has been done for rural Ireland, this report highlights the fact that the north west and the west will suffer most and a greater regional imbalance will be created over the next 20 years. The Taoiseach should come to the House to discuss in a meaningful fashion what could be done to rejuvenate the west and address the regional imbalance.

Is there an appetite to create viable alternatives to Dublin? One million people will attempt to live in the Dublin area over the next 15 years but the towns and hubs in Sligo and Donegal identified in the national spatial strategy could play their part if they received the necessary resources. It is time that Ministers, led by the Taoiseach, came to this House to debate the issue.