I take the opportunity to welcome the fantastic announcement made by Apple yesterday to invest €680 million in its new data centre in Athenry, County Galway. It will be the largest centre in Europe owned by the company. The investment is a major vote of confidence in Ireland, particularly in the west. It is also evidence of the commitment by IDA Ireland and the Government to developing a regional strategy to spread industry throughout the country. The investment has the potential to transform the economic landscape of east Galway given the potential spin-off from this huge investment. I congratulate the many State agencies involved - IDA Ireland, Coillte and the county council. I compliment them on their success in landing this major investment. I welcome the positive response from the residents in Derrydonnell. Last night they responded positively to the professional approach by the Apple organisation that met all of them. I call on the state agencies to redouble their efforts and to build on their success. I hope they will attract a major industry to Ballinasloe. It is a town that has all the necessary services and a workforce and is an excellent location. The renowned songwriter Pete St. John first put Athenry on the international map. He now might have to add a new verse to reflect how busy it is going to be around "The Fields of Athenry" into the future.

It is welcome that many of our Ministers will travel around the world during St. Patrick's week to promote Ireland. I hope they will attract more new business to the country and many additional tourists to every region. The announcement is a positive start to the new year and let us build on it during the coming months.

I was afraid the Senator was going to burst into song.

Exactly.

I almost did.

I agree with Senator Michael Mullins that this investment is a great boost for Athenry. It is also a marvellous boost for the west and a great endorsement by Apple which is very much environmentally friendly. Interestingly, the Irish climate suits such companies because savings are made in terms of cooling equipment and so on. The announcement is great news for Ireland. Many of the great companies have located here. We are fortunate to have them choose Ireland and we should build on that initiative.

I am concerned about an article in yesterday's edition of the Irish Independent by Paul Melia, the environmental correspondent, in regard to speculation, at this stage, about the axing of routes between the west and Dublin, particularly Westport, which would result in fewer services for Ireland West Airport and Knock. Excluding Athlone the route affected will take in Kiltoom, Knockcroghery, Ballymurray, Roscommon town, Castlerea town, Ballyhaunis, Ireland West Airport, Claremorris, Balla, Breaffy Church, Castlebar and onwards to Westport. This is a very serious situation but one that should be clarified. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to come into the House and explain the matter. He is the Minister responsible for transport and has ultimate responsibility for Bus Éireann, a State company, and Expressway regarding subsidies which it does not receive. In this case we are in the unique position of having a very strong political base in the west of Ireland. Perhaps the change of route is only speculation at this time. I hope it is.

I appeal to the Taoiseach, the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ring, Deputies John O'Mahony, Michelle Mulherin, Gabrielle McFadden, Frank Feighan, the Cathaoirleach, as a long-standing politician from Castlebar, and all the other Deputies and Senators on the route to come together to ensure this service is protected. It is vitally important to protect this service for the west. Following the announcement of a major development in Athenry, the State may potentially reduce services to the west. We were promised utopia when Deputy Enda Kenny took over as Taoiseach but I am afraid it has not arrived in that part of the west. I hope he will use his influence and I hope all the Oireachtas Members and councillors in the region will come together to ensure this remains speculation. The story has been leaked to environment correspondents probably to put pressure on the Taoiseach and others to ensure funding is provided to retain the Expressway service between Westport and Dublin and I hope that will become a reality.

Seeing as the Senator is on that route, I gave him a great deal of latitude.

The Cathaoirleach has been helpful and I thank him.