A Waterford TD has criticised the government's commitment to expanding the South East when compared to the West of Ireland.
Deputy Matt Shanahan raised the issue during Leader's Questions in the Dail yesterday.
He said there has been no balance in the government's programme for regional development.
"The West is now awake and one of the strongest performing regions of Ireland. The midlands, borders, and the South East are the economic laggards," Deputy Shanahan said.
He called on the government to provide the "strategic thinking and sourcing" that was provided to the West.
Taoiseach Mícheál Martin defended the government's record of investment in the South East, using the new Tirlán plant at Belview as an example.
He said that the development will support 4,500 farmers across the South East, as well as providing over 480 jobs.
The Taoiseach also added that between quarter two of 2021 and quarter two of 2022, employment grew by 8.6%.
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