Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is not just about Galway, but about Galway as the economic driver for the region. It has 250,000 people, is a cultural capital, is a university city and has attracted foreign direct investment, FDI, although less in recent times. The majority of the announcements are now in Cork and Dublin. The entire west relies on Galway. If the Taoiseach had read the reports from the Western Development Commission, he would realise that there must be balanced regional development. Galway is an important counter-point to the other regions. Why has Cork had four appointments? It is unthinkable. To be fair, I do not often agree with Senator MacSharry, but it leaves a gaping wound at the Cabinet table. Can the Leader say what the Taoiseach's plan is to redress the balance for the west of Ireland?