The Taoiseach has made a commitment that the government will continue to invest significantly in the South East over the course of the next five to ten years.
It follows criticism from Waterford TD Matt Shanahan during Leader's Questions in the Dail - as he called for more balanced regional development.
Deputy Shanahan raised the issues of 24/7 cardiac care, the North Quays development, and Waterford Airport among other issues.
In response, Leo Varadkar said the government will deliver many projects to the benefit of the region.
"To answer the question on what I think the South East will have in the next five or ten years, it will have much better roads. I was in the South-East yesterday and travelled on some of the roads. They have already improved dramatically - just look at Enniscorthy and New Ross. There is more road investment to come."
"There will be much better jobs, which we see happening already, in particular in Waterford City with increased investment from multinationals. That will be a real positive. The university will be expanded. We are in negotiations to secure the Waterford Crystal site. We are nearly there. There will be a new engineering building and on-campus accommodation. We will do our best to make sure that we can get the airport operating again, willing to provide matching finance for that, and that still stands."
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