James Bannon (Fine Gael)

These amendments are important. They are important in terms of what they contribute to the development of our economic life. It has been rightly emphasised that we have a very modern economy but it is generally recognised that we have Third World infrastructure. Some recent statistical information from Europe showed that Ireland was in 11th place out of 12 in terms of infrastructural development within the EU. This must be addressed because there are major deficits in infrastructure in some parts of the country, particularly in the BMW region.