Skip to main content
Normal View

Project Ireland 2040

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 February 2018

Wednesday, 21 February 2018

Questions (41)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

41. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the development of the Atlantic economic corridor, AEC; his views on the relationship between the AEC and the Project Ireland 2040 plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8518/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Programme for Partnership Government and the Action Plan for Rural Development both commit to progressing the concept of an Atlantic Economic Corridor. In line with this commitment, Minister Michael Ring established the Atlantic Economic Corridor Taskforce in March 2017, and I now chair this Taskforce.

The overarching objective of the AEC proposal is to maximise the assets along the western seaboard and connect the economic hubs, clusters and catchments of the region to attract investment, support job creation and contribute to an improved quality of life. The Taskforce meets on a regular basis and has established a number of sub-Groups to assist it in its work.

Project Ireland 2040 fully supports the development of the AEC and specifically highlights the contribution that the AEC can make to achieving the regional growth objectives of the National Planning Framework. The designation of Sligo and Letterkenny as regional growth centres, along with Limerick and Galway cities, also strengthens the AEC concept by providing a coherent network of NPF growth centres along the corridor.

The National Development Plan includes commitments to a number of infrastructural projects which will help to support the development of the AEC region, with a particular emphasis on improving access to the North-West. Other investment commitments in the Plan in relation to rural development, education and innovation and compact growth, will also benefit the AEC region as a whole.

In order to support the development of the AEC, I have offered to co-fund the appointment of an AEC Officer in each of the Local Authorities along the Corridor. This will provide a dedicated resource in each Authority to support the work of the AEC Taskforce and its subgroups, and to promote the AEC concept within each Local Authority area and across the region as a whole.

Top
Share