John O'Mahony (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I again refer to the need to prioritise the N4 and N5 road projects in the mid-term capital review. Submissions by the public will be accepted up to 30 April. The economic crash of 2008 stopped many projects in their tracks, including the N4 and N5 road projects. They would have assisted in balancing regional development. A number of weeks ago the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government launched the plan Ireland 2040. It outlines the need to spread jobs and development across the regions. Will the Leader facilitate a debate after the Easter break with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform? Will he ask the Minister to come to the House to outline the timelines once the public consultation process has been completed? It would be an opportunity for everyone to express his or her priorities. We need good forward planning, but it can be difficult to achieve when Governments operate in five-year cycles. If we do not get things right this time, one side of the country will be choked, while the other will be left totally devoid. I, therefore, ask the Leader to arrange for the Minister to come to the House after the Easter break to discuss the issue.