Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the approval by An Bord Pleanála of plans for a major upgrade of the N5. The N5 is the road between Dublin and Westport. The road upgrade will bypass the villages of Frenchpark, Bellanagare, Tulsk and Strokestown. This is a major endorsement of the Government's policy of improving access to the west. That said, more needs to be done, particularly on the N4 between Dublin and Sligo and particularly between Sligo and Longford. Approximately €100 million has been allocated for a road project near Castlebaldwin, which is very welcome. Over the years we have seen preferential treatment being given to the road network linking Dublin and Belfast, Dublin and Cork, and Limerick and Galway. The area between Galway and Belfast needs much more investment and focus from the Government in terms of ensuring that we have the best possible networks. That said, today is a very good day after years and years of trying to get funding.