James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I note everything the Deputy says in his very strong contribution. I reiterate that the goal and one of the core objectives of Project Ireland 2040 is strengthening rural economies and rural communities. Building up and improving services for the population requires significant investment in infrastructure, now and into the future. That is undoubted. Prioritising key social and economic investment has been a critical component for the Government in supporting Ireland's growth and in delivering better, fit-for-purpose public services. Through the record investment of €165 billion set out in the NDP, along with additional capital, as I mentioned, from windfall receipts, the Government has demonstrated its commitment to increased infrastructural spend and investment right across the country. Total capital investment in 2025 will be almost €15 billion, the highest annual spend to date. The Government is investing sums well above the EU norms in the current and future years of the NDP. I appreciate the Deputy's point that those should be better spread across the regions and that there should be an allocation above 9%, as he says, for the western region. The Departments have choices to make in terms of spending, and there are a number of criteria that they assess those on. Perhaps that should form part of that matrix in future. I hear the point he makes there.

The Deputy will be pleased to note that I have another list of projects. I will cite just one from my Department, the opening of the upgraded N56 Dungloe to Glenties road in April of this year with a sum of €100 million. That was a very significant commitment of intent and money well spent on that road, which I hope-----

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