Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I listened to the Senator in silence. On the Senator's specific question about the paediatric unit, etc., we can take it up with the Minister for Health and Children but major investments have been made in the health services and the road network in the west. Regarding the National Development Plan 2007-2013, I have reprioritised the Limerick-Galway road, including the outer orbital for Galway. That was the first job to be done after the national motorway system was completed. We are now bringing forward the plans regarding that matter to ensure that Transport 21 will affect that roadway to be done. The Senator has also heard the proposal about the rail and so on.

I do not want to get into a contentious argument with the Senator on these matters but there are many positive developments in the BMW region generally. The western corridor road, for example, will be a major counterbalancing point in terms of national transport systems. Incidentally, all of those roads go through the midlands. They will not be in my constituency but we will not complain about that. We intend to make our way in the world as best we can. The population is rising in the west, thankfully. Many developments are taking place there. The historic position of the west has dramatically changed in the past ten years. There is more work to be done——