Minister: new motorway will lead to more jobs for towns

Galway is in prime position to become a regional hub for jobs and investment – that’s according to Junior Minister and Galway East TD, Ciarán Cannon.

The Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development said he believed that thanks to the soon to be opened M17/M18, towns in the county could stand to benefit from increased investment.

“On the periphery of the city, you have what I call a necklace of towns like Tuam, Athenry, Loughrea, Gort, Portumna and others – that necklace will be really well served with the new motorway.

“It will be a short journey from Shannon Airport to Tuam – Valeo recently opened in Tuam and there are 1,000 people employed there.

“Galway is a hub and I think we are going to see investment in that necklace – the government has a significant focus on regional job creation,” said Deputy Cannon.