The Longford based Senator believes that new companies will come to the area if the necessary infrastructure work is complete.

A motorcyclist in his 30s was also killed in a crash at Cloneish in County Roscommon on Saturday evening

Communities in Roscommon, Donegal, Louth and Kerry, and Mayo were plunged into sadness following fatal road traffic collisions.

Works will include the construction of approximately 34km of new road from the western end of the existing N5 Ballaghaderreen Bypass to Scramoge.

The Education Minister is considering the move after the recent spate of road deaths involving young people, including the summer tragedies in Monaghan and Clonmel.

At a recent Joint Policing Committee meeting in Roscommon the local chief superintendent made a road safety appeal.

The petition has received almost 1,000 signatures.

It's one of the busiest weekends on Irish roads.