Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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429. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the Midland Gateway of Athlone, Tullamore and Mullingar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18402/13]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The 2002 National Spatial Strategy (NSS) is Ireland's first national strategic spatial planning framework.It provides the spatial vision and principles to achieve a better balance of social, economic and physical development and population growth between regions through the co-ordinated development of nine gateway cities and towns, including the midland gateway, and nine hub towns together with complementary policies to activate the potential for lasting economic development in their hinterlands and wider regions. The NSS serves as a strategic context for spatial planning in Ireland by regional authorities in their regional planning guidelines role, and for planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála in their statutory planning functions. It also seeks to influence investment priorities particularly in transport, housing, water services, communications, energy, health and education infrastructure. The 2002 NSS remains in place, however, I will be bringing proposals to Government later this year for a roadmap to develop a successor strategy that will take account, inter alia, of our significantly changed economic circumstances and to contribute to sustainable national recovery.