My question refers to the Tánaiste's current Ministry rather than her past Ministry. In particular, it refers to the national planning framework, which is currently in draft form, how this document relates to the mid-western region of Clare, Limerick and Tipperary, and in particular how it fails to address balanced regional development adequately and fails to harness the potential of the mid-west as a driver of national growth, as Ireland plans its future going forward to 2040. There is still an unhealthy dominance by the greater Dublin area. The draft plan does not fully harness the existing mid-west infrastructural entities, such as Shannon Airport and its international connectivity and industrial base, the university campus of Limerick and its innovative industries, the Shannon Estuary and its potential for maritime economic development, both in Clare and Limerick, and the position of the mid-west, particularly Ennis and Limerick, as the centre of the economic corridor between Galway and Cork.

A Programme for a Partnership Government promises to put in place measures to revitalise all Ireland in order that benefits are felt on every doorstep and in every community. It seems that, far from moving towards that aim of balanced regional development, we are going in the opposite direction. The proposal to restrict population growth outside larger urban areas is going to impact negatively on the fabric of rural towns and villages. The plan must provide for population and economic growth on a scale that will deliver balance in our economic recovery. To date, this has been a Dublin-centric model. The greater Dublin area will attract 50% of the estimated national population growth by 2040. This does not reflect equitable or effective regional balanced development, especially when one considers the housing shortage that will exist in the greater Dublin area for the next decade, as supply fails to meet demand. Population growth must be more regionalised and this can only happen if employment opportunities and services are developed in regions and not just concentrated in the Dublin area.

The draft plan is under review. Will the Tánaiste ensure that, when the plan is finalised, it effectively and definitively addresses regional development by funding infrastructure and economic drivers which will unlock the potential of regions such as the mid-west?

I thank Deputy Harty for those questions. I was taking questions earlier in regard to jobs growth and one of the key points, of course, is that the majority of the jobs that are now being created are in regional areas. The mid-west is one of the fastest growing regions in the country. We had the jobs announcement which I attended in Limerick a couple of weeks ago, where Regeneron announced 300 very welcome jobs, and another announcement attended by the Minister of State, Deputy Breen, in County Clare, where there were a further 50 jobs. There is very strong growth, although we can cannot be complacent and we have to make sure it continues. That is why I published my Department's Brexit plan.

The national planning framework is at a draft stage. The consultation just finished last week and there have been a good number of submissions in regard to it. It is, of course, a national planning framework for the long term and it sets out a new, long-term strategic planning and investment context for Ireland over the next 20 years. It is about a high level national vision for Ireland 2040 and will provide the framework and principles to manage future population and economic growth over the next 20 years, so it is extremely important.

On the Deputy's question, there will be regional plans, and it is important the Deputy is aware of this. Of course, the plan is still at draft stage. Some 1,000 submissions have been received and are currently being considered by the Department of the Minister, Deputy Murphy. Those submissions are informing the final national planning framework document and every submission is, of course, important. I believe the framework will be very valuable for co-ordinating across Government different policies and investment on national and regional development. It will be published in association with the capital investment plan. That is the first time the two have been published together and I believe that will be important as well.

The Deputy asked about his own area. Within the context of growing Limerick's population by 50% to 60% and expanding its national and international economic capacity, there is specific reference to the role of Shannon Airport. Shannon Development and the Shannon-Foynes Port Company will, it is hoped, build on recent successes and add to the overall vision for counties Limerick and Clare. There is a way to go yet in terms of taking account of the needs of different parts of the country. The plan is still at draft stage and I have no doubt the Deputy will make the views from County Clare known in terms of the finalisation of the report.

I am glad the Tánaiste mentioned Shannon Airport because the lack of balance in our development is best illustrated by the Government's aviation policy. Dublin Airport had a market share of 72% in 2005 and it has a market share of 87% today. Shannon Airport has huge untapped potential in regard to development as an airport, yet it has only 5% of the market.

It would be a driver of economic development in the mid-west.

Current aviation policy seems happy to allow market forces to dictate how our airports develop.

Hear, hear.

This is not acceptable. The uncontrolled development of Dublin into a city state must not be inadvertently enshrined in our national planning framework. The unbalanced aviation policy illustrates the difficulties our regions are encountering in attracting development, jobs and infrastructure that would allow them to grow effectively and contribute to our economic development.

Aviation policy will of course be impacted by the national planning framework and the regional plans. In every contact that I have had with foreign multinationals, I have spoken of the importance of companies taking the opportunity to locate in regional areas. We have seen major successes in the Shannon area as regards aviation, particularly in terms of leasing. The Action Plan for Jobs, which I will publish in January, will refer to Shannon as a centre of excellence in aviation, leasing and so on and will place particular emphasis on how that can be grown further. Ireland is regarded as a centre of excellence. Shannon leasing and the work of Shannon Holdings have developed considerably.

As a capital city, Dublin is always attractive in terms of the balance that the Deputy has described. That is in common with other countries. As we focus more on regional development, however, passenger numbers at Shannon will change. Focusing more on our regional tourism policy will, given its potential, support the development in the region the Deputy seeks.