Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There was a meeting last Saturday in Tuam on balanced regional development. Unfortunately I was not able to make it but I agree wholeheartedly with many of the decisions and the sentiments expressed at the meeting. I fully support the West on Track campaign for the extension of the rail line from Athenry to Claremorris. It is needed. I come from Castlebar which is 45 miles from Galway city. Galway is our city. It takes two hours to go 45 miles. If one needs to go to the Galway clinic, the regional hospital or any of those places in Galway, it takes two hours. We have to have a look at this and should have a debate in this House on balanced regional development.

What is balanced regional development? Does that mean one stops the growth of other cities such as Dublin and Cork and say we will grow Galway, Limerick and Sligo and wherever else? There was a time when there were eight Deputies in Mayo. There are now four. There is a boundary commission in place and when it provides its report, there will probably be four in Mayo again. We are getting an extension on the number of representatives sitting in Dáil Éireann, maybe to the order of ten to 15 new or extra Deputies. If we are really talking about balanced regional development, the west and the regional areas need a bigger shout and we should also have a look at the Constitution as regards the figures.

In Scotland for instance, the Hebrides do not have to have the same population numbers to get a Member of Parliament elected as other parts of Scotland. That should be the basis for our balanced regional development policy as well and there would be a bigger shout in Dáil Éireann or wherever else for the regional areas. That is if we are really interested in balanced regional development but there would be some obstacles if we were to bring that in. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on balanced regional development.