Will the Taoiseach outline the Government's plan to deliver the infrastructure necessary to develop the Atlantic economic corridor as a counterbalance to the over development on the east coast? The provision of wastewater facilities, new modes of transport, broadband, and health facilities need to be planned and delivered so that we can cope with the existing and projected increases in population. They would also offer the opportunities for offshore energy development off the west coast. We must be ready to maximise the potential of further foreign direct investment. What does the Government plan to do in the short term?

I support the Deputy's basic view about developing the Atlantic economic corridor, rebalancing economic development and ensuring that the western seaboard benefits from this, particularly in terms of offshore wind and infrastructure developments, such as the western rail corridor, which is part of the national strategic rail review.

In my view, rail will play a very important part in underpinning economic development in the west in the future. We are marketing the west, Galway and Mayo in particular, very strongly in respect of industrial development right down to Clare. The combination of energy, industry and infrastructure means we are within reach of achieving the transformational shift required in rebalancing the economy of the island.