I am sure the Leader will agree that balanced regional development is extremely important across our country to ensure populations in the west of Ireland are sustained and increased and that the region acts as a counterbalance to Dublin and the east coast. With that in mind, Northern and Western Regional Assembly members met the Taoiseach last Friday regarding several key projects they wish to see progressed. These include the upgrading of the N17, the Galway city ring road and ATU Letterkenny, including the Letterkenny library and IT education building project. Also included was the Galway-to-Sligo western rail corridor project, of which I know the Leader is a strong advocate.

I certainly welcome the recent announcement and commencement of work on the clearing of the line between Athenry and Claremorris. This is very symbolic, but we wish to see firm confirmation of when this project will go to the stages of construction and completion to ensure we will get trains on the line, serving Athenry, Tuam and Claremorris, and other locations in between those towns. This will be a game changer for the region. The members of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly also want to see this project continuing to Sligo and they are concerned that there is no commitment in this regard. I urge the Minister and the Government to also consider this matter.

Also in terms of regional balance, I welcome the opening of the Moycullen bypass on Monday by the Taoiseach, along with invited guests from TII and Galway County Council. I have been involved with this project for some time. I also welcome the recent Cabinet decision made concerning the N5 Ballaghaderreen-to-Scrimoge project, which will involve 34 km of new single-carriageway road. This will be conducted by Wills Brothers, the company that did a great job on the Moycullen bypass. These are all examples of projects that have commenced, been approved or are in the pipeline in relation to the region of Connacht and the west of Ireland, which is important, as I said, in terms of balanced regional development.