Carrigy says N4 upgrade must be delivered over the next decade as Longford's economic renaissance gathers pace
Those aspirations were given a sizable boost last week when secondary school meal provider Food Village announced the creation of 200 jobs with the opening of a state-of-the-art food service site at the town's Mastertech Business Park.
That announcement followed hot on the heels of confirmation some two weeks earlier from IDA bosses over how it was closing in on plans to develop a purpose built factory aimed at enticing a large-scale multinational giant to the town.
Details surrounding both those breakthroughs have, according to Mr Carrigy, underlined the importance of advancing one of the region's most critical infrastructural assets.
'It is a key piece of infrastructure for the economic development of our county into the future for the next generation, that we have that direct access to our capital city and airport and that we shorten journey times between the capital and Longford,' he told the Irish Independent.
'There is great people in Longford, it's a great county and we have a great town.'
Hopes surrounding the carriageway's long-awaited upgrade were given a welcome tonic in February when a preferred route was selected following years of funding issues and long-standing delays.
Mr Carrigy said it was imperative the long-awaited project was delivered over the next decade in order to foster and further strengthen the county's upward economic trajectory.
'We have brilliant business people here who have and are putting in long hours to build up their companies and contracts with other companies that are operating at the highest level,' he added.
'That's why other, larger multinationals have looked at other businesses we have here as we have a very good, skilled workforce and we want to make sure we have the necessary infrastructure in place to continue to attract investment into our county which makes it is so important the N4 project is delivered over the next 10 years.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
14 hours ago
- Irish Times
Barack Obama ‘should receive no welcome in Ireland': freedom of Dublin debate reopens
History is repeating itself in Dublin's City Hall. In 2017, a proposal to award the freedom of the capital to former US president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle faced some opposition before being approved by 30 to 23 votes. It had been proposed by then lord mayor Brendan Carr, of Labour, who cited the Democrat's Irish roots and support for peace in Northern Ireland, shortly after Obama was succeeded by Donald Trump. While he did not wish to 'canonise the Obamas' or declare his presidency 'a success', Carr said Obama was a 'stabilising and moderating' influence on US foreign policy. 'A similar era, unfortunately, will not be experienced again for some time,' he said. Eight years on, Trump is having a destabilising start to his second term, and debate about awarding the Obamas the freedom of the city has resumed. Dublin's Lord Mayor Ray McAdam, of Fine Gael, has written to the couple suggesting they accept the award in late September when visiting the city for a sold-out event at the 3Arena, An Evening with President Barack Obama, In Conversation with Fintan O'Toole . People Before Profit councillor Conor Reddy urged McAdam to withdraw the invite. 'Obama is just as complicit in the [Gaza] genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians as his successors – Biden and Trump,' he said. 'For this reason alone, he should receive no welcome in Ireland.' Reddy and his colleague Hazel De Nortúin say they will bring an 'emergency motion' to September's council meeting calling for the award to be revoked should McAdam opt to proceed. Druid seeks new chief executive as it plans for next 50 years Anneliese Davidsen is leaving her role as Druid theatre company's as executive director in the autumn. Photograph: Druid Are you an energetic and results driven self-starter who can balance creative risk with sound financial management? Really? Well, there's a job going that might work for you. Druid Theatre Company is seeking a chief executive to succeed Anneliese Davidsen, who is stepping down as executive director this autumn and switching Galway for London after less than two years. In that time, Druid said, Davidsen delivered 'record-breaking national tours' of Sean O'Casey's The Shadow of a Gunman and Three Short Comedies; and won five-star ratings for productions of The House by Tom Murphy, Macbeth, and Samuel Beckett's Endgame. 'She leaves the company in great shape as it celebrates its 50th anniversary,' said Adrian O'Neill, chairman of the Druid board. Druid's production of Endgame by Samuel Beckett received five-star reviews. Photograph: Ros Kavanagh A post on the company's website says the new chief executive 'will join Druid at a time of great success' and when planning is under way for its '2026 programme and the next 50 years'. A separate job advert says responsibilities will include cultivating a culture of 'excellence in every aspect of the organisation' and ensuring Druid's purpose is 'inspiring, ambitious and clear'. Sensibly enough, a background and interest in the performing arts and 'a good understanding of, and empathy for, Druid and its vision' are desirable. A passion for and knowledge of the arts scene in Galway, and nationally, is preferable. A fixed five-year term contract and 'a competitive salary reflecting the significance of the position' are on offer. Good luck to the candidates, or should that be break a leg? Kevin 'Boxer' Moran in flood water in Athlone, Co Westmeath. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire Kevin 'General Custer' Moran faces exhausting trip to Kerry As someone based near the river Shannon, Minister of State for the Office of Public Works Kevin 'Boxer' Moran knows his onions when it comes to flooding. In early 2020 he posted a video of himself topless in a pair of waders in Athlone helping to connect a pump in an attempt to combat rising waters in Athlone. 'That's it – job done. I'm drowned f***ing wet though,' he says. 'I nearly got sick with the smell of it ... There's one sure thing, she won't kiss me tonight anyway.' Got a bit wet this morning trying to get a pump going down at the back of Parnell Square, no spare set of clothes but the people are protected that's the main thing. — Kevin 'Boxer' Moran (@kevinboxermoran) Kerry Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill was hoping for a sympathetic ear before the Dáil recess when he asked Moran if he would provide funding to tackle erosion and flooding in 10 places including his own 'neck of the woods', Rossbeigh, where there 'are huge problems'. Moran said the Government had committed €81 million for flood relief schemes in Kerry, naming several places, but Rossbeigh was not among them. 'Other areas in Kerry also need coastal protection works, for example, Waterville and my local beach in Rossbeigh,' Cahill pointedly replied. Moran again omitted mention of Rossbeigh in his next response, but he empathised and promised to visit Kerry, including the areas mentioned by Cahill. 'For many of the people affected, the Minister of State is General Custer making his last stand,' Cahill said. Leas-Cheann Comhairle John McGuinness said he feared that by the time the Minister of State 'finished that tour of Kerry' he might too 'exhausted' to make it to his own constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. 'I will ask my line manager if he will organise a helicopter because I have had so many requests today that I will be flying,' Moran replied. Declan Ganley. Photograph: Cyril Byrne Chatbot laps up Ganley's alternative to solar power Businessman Declan Ganley , who has reportedly sounded out Oireachtas members about supporting a presidential run, is no stranger to a campaign. He opposed the Lisbon Treaty in 2008, an effort that succeeded for a while; came close to winning a European Parliament seat in 2009 under the Libertas banner; and spoke out against repealing the Eighth Amendment in 2018. More recently, he has railed against plans for a huge solar project near his Co Galway home. Power Capital Renewable Energy, a French-backed Irish firm, is preparing plans for what would be Ireland's largest solar farm/battery storage facility over hundreds of acres between Abbeyknockmoy and Monivea. Local opponents argue it would threaten local food production, biodiversity and rural heritage and Ganley has been using his X social media account to publicise his concerns about 'Absentee SolarLords' burying part of the parish under 'a desert of black glass'. 'The mobilisation of local resistance is unlike anything I have seen in my 30 years in this village,' he wrote. Ever the entrepreneur, Ganley then started a conversation with Grok, X's AI chatbot, about a patent for a tidal power system that has been 'sitting in my drawer of inventions since 2007'. 'Impressive patent, Declan,' Grok said. 'I was going to build a prototype but had too much else going on,' Ganley replied. 'Understandable – life gets busy…,' Grok added. The lengthy back and forth ended with Grok writing a letter to 'The Irish Government' saying Ganley's tidal patent would be 'superior to solar in reliability, impact, and long-term value'. If only convincing a planning authority, or an electorate, were so easy.
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- RTÉ News
Harris says Govt 'not rowing back' on hospitality VAT cut
Tánaiste Simon Harris has said he is "not rowing back" on Programme for Government commitments to cut the hospitality VAT rate despite saying the timing of any measure will be decided on budget day. Speaking to reporters at Government Buildings, the Tánaiste said while the cut will be the "subject of budget negotiations", the Programme for Government has made "clear commitments" in relation to the matter. Last week, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe indicated that while the hospitality VAT rate cut from 13.5% to 9.5% is still planned, introducing the measure in autumn's budget would take up almost two thirds of the available tax reduction space. In the immediate aftermath of the remark, a number of Government sources indicated that the hospitality VAT rate cut could now be delayed until next summer - a move understood to be supported by some in Fianna Fáil but opposed by Fine Gael. Asked about the possible delay to the tax cut, which business groups say is needed in order to protect jobs, Tánaiste Simon Harris said "the timing of any measure will be a matter for budget day". However, when asked if he is "rowing back" on his previous position in early summer that the tax cut commitment was a "solemn" promise, he added: "I'm not rowing back on anything, but I suppose I'm being respectful to the budgetary process. "The Programme for Government says what it says. I believe the Programme for Government is very important, it's a contract between two political parties and some Independent TDs, and therefore I believe the words in it matter. "It talks about reducing the cost base for small businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector around food. And we'll work our way through that." The Tánaiste repeated his position that he is "not going to get into specific budget measures or the timing, other than to say all of this can be discussed in the round". However, he said that "towards the end of the summer" Government intends "to take stock again" in relation to the potential impact of international trade and tariffs deals, "and then we'll reserve the right to finesse the summer economic statement as required".
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Irish Independent
Over €1.2 million awarded to water programme in Wexford
The recipient of the funding will be Blackstairs Group Water Scheme, who will use it to address leakage reduction and water conservation, with an estimated 1,114 households to benefit from the investment. Fine Gael Senator Cathal Byrne said funding of €73.9m has been allocated for 291 projects across the county, under the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2024–2026 'Today's announcement is great news for communities across the country but particularly those in County Wexford serviced by the Blackstairs Group Water Scheme. It's so important that we protect our water sources and ensure the highest standards in water treatment. We must ensure that communities across Wexford have the benefit of high quality infrastructure and water services,' he said. 'The allocation of €73.9m for 291 projects across the country will directly benefit 63,000 rural households and will address a wide range of needs such as water quality and infrastructure upgrades. Projects will range from minor works right up to major capital investments of over €2m for complex or bundled schemes,' he added. Minister James Browne also welcomed the news and highlighted the Government's commitment to improving water services around the country. "The Government is working hard to fund improvements to water services across the country, including services to rural areas that do not have access to Uisce Éireann services. This announcement today is very much part of that commitment and will support rural communities to thrive as places to live and work,' he said.
