John Bruton
Question:78 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will make a statement on his recent meeting with the Western Development Commission in Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon. [1730/00]
Written Answers. - Farmers' Representative Groups.
The Taoiseach, accompanied by a number of other Ministers, met the members of the Western Development Commission in Ballaghadereen on 19 January on the occasion of the Cabinet meeting held there on that date. I also attended the meeting.
At the meeting the Taoiseach thanked the commission for its contribution to the preparation of the national development plan through its report, Blueprint for Success.
The discussions focused on a number of important issues raised by the commission, including the timescale for delivery in the western region of the economic and social infrastructure proposed in the national plan, the need to accelerate the preparation of the national spatial strategy given its importance to the west, the preparation of the commission's strategic plan and the matter of resources, and the delay by the European Commission in approving the operation of the western investment fund.
The Taoiseach also thanked the Western Development Commission for its co-operation in facilitating the Government meeting earlier that day in its headquarters at Dillon House.