"We are determined now that we make progress," Tánaiste about Longford projects

Tánaiste Simon Harris and two Longford Oireachtas members hosted Fine Gael councillors at Government buildings last week where the importance of Uisce Éireann putting in water and wastewater facilities and the need to upgrade roads, was discussed.

Newly elected Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Garry Murtagh attended on Wednesday along with Leas-Cathaoirleach, Cllr Niall Gannon, Cllr Gerry Hagan, Cllr Martin Skelly, Cllr Peggy Nolan and Cllr Pádraig McNamara.

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Mr Harris said he was "pleased to host the Fine Gael councillors from Longford in Government Buildings for a meeting on some key priority issues for Longford" along with his colleagues Deputy Micheál Carrigy and Senator Páraic Brady.

"We had a really good discussion on a number of important issues including getting house building going in Longford and the need for the Land Development Agency to play a much more proactive role in rolling out housing for people to buy in parts of rural Ireland, including County Longford.

"We also talked about the importance of Uisce Éireann in terms of putting in water and wastewater facilities and the need to upgrade the road infrastructure too.

"One of the things I was really struck by was the need to continue to invest in health facilities in county Longford and the I think very reasonable campaign now for a minor injuries clinic to be established in Longford."

Mr Harris said that is something he intends to work closely with his Fine Gael colleagues to try and make progress on.

"I really appreciate the Fine Gael team coming to see me in Longford and we are determined now that we make progress on these issues."

Longford TD Micheál Carrigy said there was a good few things discussed with the Tánaiste in relation to county Longford and it was a "very positive" meeting.

"It was a good opportunity for the elected members to put forward their priorities.

"We want to regenerate our county town, we want to make sure we have the infrastructure in our region, in our county that will benefit future economic development and ensure the security of jobs for decades to come so that our children don't have to leave."

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Deputy Carrigy said providing starter homes for young families so that they can get on the property ladder is also a big priority.

"One of my key priorities is a Family Resource Centre in Longford town."

The long-awaited development of a new 52km section of single carriageway, between Longford and Mullingar, was given a major boost with the confirmation of a preferred route last February and Deputy Carrigy said it is a priority project.

"We need to make sure that the N4 has the money ready to invest to deliver that project for road safety and also for future economic activity in the Midlands region to make sure we are able to attract foreign or domestic investment into the future for jobs," he added.

Deputy Carrigy said the Tánaiste is 'well on top' of all those issues which he discusses with him.

"This was an opportunity for the locally elected members to directly deal with the Tánaiste and put those forward.

"There are a number of those issues that are being worked on and I'll be delivering on them all, that is my objective."