The newly elected Chairman of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly says his priorities will relate to getting more infrastructure and businesses into the region.
The NWRA is made up of 25 elected members from the nine counties it represents, including Roscommon, Leitrim and Mayo.
Roscommon Councillor John Naughten says the region has recently been allocated €217 million under the European Regional Development Fund because it's classified as being less developed than other parts of the country.
He says he wants to see that funding properly drawn down and used to better the region, but he also wants to see government playing its part to redress the imbalance for the northern and western counties..
Certainly one of my priorities is the allocation of this funding to ensure it is fully drawn down at a regional level and that we get the maximum benefits that.
Also we need more support from national government in relation to key infrastructure, be it in relation to health , education, public transport, roads and an increased focus in delivering foreign direct investment into the region.
