Fine Gael accused the Government of neglecting the western seaboard. The party's spokesman on western development, Mr Gerry Reynolds, said that, in terms of road development, the Government had clearly given greater priority to the east coast.

"The Government's road initiatives are based on an incorrect premise - that all roads lead to Dublin. There is foolhardiness associated with this arrogant presumption. I propose, in particular, the upgrading of the N2 to Donegal, the N5 to Westport, the N4 to Sligo."

Mr Reynolds was speaking during a debate on a Fine Gael private member's motion critical of the Government's performance on western development.

The Minister of State for the Environment, Mr Robert Molloy, said: "The investment under way and planned will ensure that all regions of the country are well placed to avail of development opportunities and that further growth will be better balanced within and between regions."