A £3.2 billion spending programme for the Border, Midlands and Western (BMW) region has been criticised for failing to make provision for energy infrastructure.
This is seen as a particularly important omission given the discovery of the Corrib gas field and the fact that there is already a problem of electricity capacity in the north-west.
Members of the BMW Regional Assembly yesterday discussed the details of their region's Operational Programme with officials from various government departments at a meeting in Roscommon.
The Assembly members were particularly concerned that there was no provision for energy infrastructure of any kind and it was strongly felt that the western region and not just Galway city should benefit from the Corrib field.
Dr Jimmy Devins, a representative from Sligo, said the fact that the document made no reference to gas or electricity should be raised with the relevant department. The chairman, Mr Tony Ferguson, said this would be highlighted as a matter of urgency.
A 300-page document drawn up by the Department of Finance outlined how the £3.2 billion is to be spent. Assembly members - councillors from the 13 counties included in the region - were given the opportunity to respond to the document and make recommendations.
These recommendations will in turn go to a monitoring committee, made of up Government officials and Assembly members, before final spending allocations are announced, although it is believed that major changes will not be made.
The process does, however, represent a departure, as it gives local representatives some say in how the money should be spent. The £3.2 billion is part of the £13.31 billion to be invested in the region under the National Development Plan. Central Government will have full say over how the remainder of the money is to be spent.
Mr Ferguson said "real devolved government" was occurring. "This is the first time that locally elected public representatives have an opportunity to input at all levels in the funding process," he said.
He added that yesterday's discussion was part of a process that had been going on for months, as officials from the BMW Regional Authority had attended meetings with civil servants from various departments as allocations were being drawn up.
Most of the money will go towards non-national roads (£848 million), rural water (£354 million), waste management (£292 million) and E-commerce (£278 million).