The postponing of the N5 by-pass of Longford has been strongly criticised by Independent MEP Marian Harkin.

She said: “The Longford by-pass is not just an essential element of local infrastructure which will increase Co. Longfords’s ability to compete for jobs – it is equally important to the counties of Roscommon and Mayo.

“If there was obvious evidence of fairness in the allocation of roads funds we would have to accept reductions of allocations and deferment of projects such as the N5 Longford by-pass but it is obvious that political lobbying was involved in the decision to approve the by-pass of Castleisland and deferment of the N5 Longford by-pass.

“Last year it was the turn of the Taoiseach’s local town of Tullamore to skip the queue and receive NRA approval of it’s by-pass and, unfortunately, in a time of reduced resources it seems that a seat at the cabinet table will be the essential requirement to secure necessary major roads improvements.

“Any map of Ireland indicating where roads investment is planned shows that the commitment of the Government to balanced regional development has been abandoned and with it any pretence of fair implementation of the National Development Plan in the Border Midlands and West region”, Marian Harkin MEP concluded.