An investment of £25 million is to be made over six years through the Western Development Commission which will now have a statutory basis after legislation was introduced in the Dail yesterday.

The Minister of State for Agriculture, Mr Noel Davern, said this legislation would give a new impetus to western development and would promote well-being among communities in the western region.

He said the legislation was "evidence of the Government's ongoing determination and commitment to promoting the economic and social development of the west".

Mr Davern said the commission would provide a body for the west "which will answer the needs of the people of the west". It would ensure a regional focus by national authorities and foster local enterprise.

Exchequer funding to cover the administrative and operating costs of the commission are provided through the Department of Agriculture in addition to the £25 million for the Western Investment Fund.

Mr Donal Carey (FG, Clare) welcomed Mr Davern's efforts but said: "He's been handed a job that will require major decisions in the Departments of Agriculture, Education, Environment. He is asking to seek goodwill of the Departments. If he was in the Taoiseach's office he could demand that."

This showed, he said, that Mr Ahern had "no idea of the emerging model that's needed for structural development".