Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise a couple of issues. Many of my colleagues have spoken about the national development plan and the welcome investment that will happen in the coming years. I want to highlight a couple of issues in the plan, in particular the upgrades to the Dublin to Sligo railway line. The upgrades are happening on the Dublin to Mullingar leg of the journey. Longford is the first point from where the early-bird trains travel to Dublin, bringing workers who are commuting. I ask for that to be looked at and for those upgrades to be extended as far as Longford.

I am thinking ahead. We had discussions about N roads and M roads. We will be quite happy if the N4 is upgraded. That is not just for the area I come from and the section running from Mullingar to Longford. The only route in the country that is not serviced properly is the route to Sligo. That services the whole north west of Ireland and encompasses counties Longford, Roscommon, Sligo, Leitrim, Mayo and Donegal. That needs to be prioritised. I know other colleagues are looking for other connectivity but the whole north west of Ireland does not have full connectivity to Dublin. That must be prioritised in the national development plan.

Various organisations have, naturally enough, made contact with all of us ahead of the budget. Like other Members, I have met local representatives of the Irish Farmers Association. I know there are a large number of asks within its proposals but we need to come some way towards looking after a number of those asks for our farming community, which is extremely important throughout the country.

Despite all the money we are paying out, the school library fund is low or has not been restored. It is a small figure of €5 million, a modest investment that can open up a lifetime of possibility and excitement for children. That says it all. That investment is a must.