Vol. 472 No. 6
3 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Taoiseach the number of discussion papers submitted by the Western Development Partnership Board on critical issues relating to the western region; the subject matter of such papers; and the response, if any, received from the Western Development Partnership Board in this regard. [23792/96]
4 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach if he will report on any significant initiatives co-ordinated by the interdepartmental committee in relation to development of the west in 1996. [23995/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together.
As part of the Government's response to the action plan prepared by the Western Development Partnership Board, I am coordinating discussions between the partnership board and the relevant Departments and agencies on the various indicative proposals for sectoral development contained in the action plan.
A number of exploratory meetings to discuss the sectoral proposals have already taken place. Further meetings are being arranged and I expect that all the meetings requested by the partnership board will be completed by the end of the year.
The discussion documents referred to have been prepared by the partnership board as part of this ongoing consultative process and the continuing dialogue between the partnership board and my Department. A number of discussion papers have been prepared covering a wide range of sectoral issues, including infrastructural funding, information technology and telecommunications, the proposed Programme for Identification and Linkage of Technologies — PILOT — and the related advisory councils to support the programme.
These discussion documents, with the discussions which have been taking place between the partnership and my Department, have proved to be very valuable and informative in assessing the current position regarding the many sectoral issues pertinent to the western region. In particular, the meetings on the sectoral proposals are important in assisting the partnership board to develop their indicative proposals and to identify the strategic priorities in the key sectors identified in the action plan. The outcome of this process will provide a firm basis for the tasks to be addressed by the forthcoming Western Development Commission, which will succeed the Western Development Partnership Board on the expiry of its term of office at the end of this month.
In addition, the partnership board has also submitted papers to my Department which have been a most useful input in preparing for the establishment of the commission, setting up a western investment fund and the assessment by the Department of Social Welfare of the proposal to set up a social development unit.
What is the Department's response to proposals made by the western board as regards road spending, tourism trends, Objective 1 status and the location of overseas jobs in the region from Donegal to Clare?
The Deputy's questions cover a wide area. While the partnership board has made proposals, I met the chief executive of the National Roads Authority and discussed the problems as regards the national primary routes through Connacht and Clare. He was concerned about the idea of economic routes implemented by the former Minister for the Environment, Deputy Michael Smith, who was responsible for the Structural Funds application to Brussels. The term "economic routes" is causing great difficulty for the west. I have tried to get the Minister for the Environment to accept the social aspect also.
Despite the actions of the former Minister for the Environment, I presume he did not want to neglect the west. As a result, radial roads into Dublin have received most development. While some progress has been made on routes around Sligo and Longford, there are many blockages in the area. I would have preferred if the Structural Funds application had requested a western corridor to be established at the same time as an eastern corridor.
As regards county roads, the Deputy will be aware that the Taoiseach and the Minister for the Environment have substantially increased the funds spent in all county councils in the western area. There is also provision for additional funds in the Estimates for the coming year and the Government is well aware of the problems.
Any of the other actions proposed by the Western Development Partnership Board will be taken up by the commission on its assumption. I have put a proposal to the Government as regards the establishment of the western commission and I expect a reply this week.
Is the Minister of State suggesting that moneys are incorrectly spent on arterial routes leading from Connacht to the ports and airports and should be diverted to other routes? The west is hugely dependent on exporting.
No, I am not suggesting that. Deputy Michael Kitt highlighted the principal problem, which is that there is no western corridor. The original route planned by the former Minister for the Environment, Sylvester Barrett, in the 1970s, to which I am sure Deputy Burke made an input, was from Sligo and Donegal to Limerick and across to Rosslare. That road has been developed on the economic route from Limerick to Shannon Airport and there are other patches of development leading from the city of Galway towards the docklands but the great majority of roads funding has been successfully spent on the east coast, where the economy is booming.
Thanks for that imprimatur.
The Minister of State said I covered too wide a range of issues. I asked four questions and the Minister did not respond to any. The question of tourism promotion was highlighted by the western board. Are there proposals to respond to its call for the promotion of tourism projects in the western region?
The Western Development Partnership Board met the Department of Tourism and Trade at one of its sectoral meetings. A paper on the subject has been drawn up, which I have not seen but I understand it contains new proposals. When I receive it, I will contact the Deputy.
Did the National Roads Authority give the Minister of State an undertaking that the money which it has not spent and will not spend between now and 1999 will be reallocated to the west where major projects are ready to proceed?
I am pressing the National Roads Authority to spend money in that area and I have made representations to the Minister for the Environment to spend more money on western routes. I am anxious to develop and promote the concept of the western corridor. Despite the prudence of people identifying Ireland as a single region, there should have been more work in preparation for the maintenance of Objective 1 in the west. This is why I would like to see the Minister for the Environment relaxing the economic route rule.
Has the Minister of State sought to have the western region given Objective 1 status after the next classification?
We have made preparations. We already have an interdepartmental committee studying agriculture and marine issues in preparation for Objective 1 status.
Has the sum of £5 million to be allocated to the Western Development Commission or its successor, as promised by the Taoiseach at the time the commission was established, been included in the 1997 Estimates?
This year's Estimates include a provision for the establishment of the western investment fund, as regards the commitment made last May when the report was published.
I asked if £5 million was provided in next year's Estimates, as promised.
The division was £25 million over a six year period. The Government's commitment of £2 million is there directly in the fund.
Two million pounds — it has been cut in half.
Are there plans to upgrade the status of the roads west of Galway city to national primary status, particularly the road from Galway city via Knocknacarra to Spiddal and Baile na Abhann, which is the most heavily travelled route in Galway?
That is a distinct question perhaps warranting a separate question.
I am glad the Deputy raised that issue and I will take it up with the Minister for the Environment. That is my job.
Donal the postman.
Will the Minister agree that any route which opens up the west to the port of Larne is of vital importance? In that context, perhaps the Minister would agree to raise with the powers that be the N16 between Sligo and Blacklion which has been recognised as part of a trans-European road network system but has not received priority? That is a vital route between the west and the port of Larne.
I will take up that matter. If any Deputy wishes to raise matters concerning the improvement of the economic infrastructure of the western part of the island I will be glad to make representations. We have given, through my office, access to Ministers and each of the Departments about western problems. This is one of the benefits of the establishment of a plan for the west. The western partnership board can assure Deputies opposite that it has access to Departments that other areas in the country do not enjoy.
