Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is great to have this opportunity to have this engagement with the Taoiseach in the Upper House.

As we are celebrating the 70th anniversary since the coming into being of the Republic, I would like to focus on the here and now and plans for future prosperity for our nation and its people. I want to focus on the whole area and challenge of achieving balanced regional development and stemming the tide of young people leaving rural areas permanently to go to the cities which are already under pressure. This is a worldwide trend and movement as younger people see more opportunities in these cities. I know the Taoiseach is aware of this because Project Ireland 2040 along with the national development plans envision population growth, investment and other good things.

There are two matters I wish to focus on, which are clear impediments the State and Government need to address. First is the Apple appeal case judgment,delivered by the Supreme Court last week in the Apple data centre case. The appeal was dismissed. Notwithstanding the appeal having been dismissed the appellants have won. There will be no data centre in Athenry.