The vexed problems of new roads and job losses attract much attention this week. The Offaly Independent leads its front page with a report by Edward Keenan in reference to the Tullamore bypass.
The report says: "The controversial compromise route for Tullamore bypass was given the green light at the October meeting of the Offaly County County Council."
The Midland Tribune devotes its editorial comment to the matter. Under the headline: "By-pass of major importance for Tullamore" the editorial writer says: "The decision of the Offaly county councillors to give the thumbs up for the so-called 'compromise route' for the town by-pass is long overdue. Tullamore is, literally, choking to death with traffic and a solution has to be found if the town is to continue to develop."
In the neighbouring county's Westmeath Examiner the attitude about similar development there is not so up-beat. A front-page headline says: "Mullingar ring road may be in doubt."
Ronan Casey reports: "The 62km N6 motorway linking Kinnegad and Athlone will be delayed for at least a further nine months and there is 'an immediate prospect' of job lay-offs according to a report from the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland. Doubts have also been cast on the completion dates of major Westmeath road projects," the report says.
In the Western People Christy Loftus reports: "Plans to upgrade the N26 between Bohola and Ballina and including a bypass to Foxford are being resisted by residents along the route who fear the plan will destroy the Moy Valley."
The Waterford News & Star carries a front-page headline: "Preferred route set out for the new Waterford-Dublin motorway."
The report underneath by Marion O'Mara says: "The planned 110 kilometres of dual carriageway/motorway which will link the city with Dublin and will cost an estimated £526 million to construct, remains on schedule for completion in 2007."
The Kildare Nationalist takes a negative line. Its front-page leading headline says: "Road route will ruin business."
James Fitzgerald's report says: "Businesses along the existing N9 road through Kildare will be ruined when the preferred route of the Kilcullen to Waterford highway goes ahead as planned, it was claimed last week. Business people around Moone, Timolin and Crookstown are annoyed that the road has been taken further away from from the area, a move which will have 'seriously detrimental effect' on local business."
Seamus O'Reilly from Crookstown Tyre Centre and Service Station is quoted: "This will ruin me. At least half my trade will be taken away."
The Kilkenny People also addresses the issue. Sean Keane reports: "Men like Eddie Phelan, Dunbell, just a few miles from the city will lose at least 50 acres. The road has the potential to destroy one of the best tillage farms in the country."
A different problem faces the North Tipperary County Council. In the Guardian, Peter Gleeson reports: "A crux which is stalling the official opening of a long-completed £7.2 million new road by-pass of the town of Nenagh is a laughable situation, Independent TD Michael Lowry declared this week.
"The spanking new roadway has been completed for several weeks but North Tipperary County Council is refusing to open it to traffic because of fears it will become a major settlement for Travellers."
Mr Lowry is further quoted: "We have a roadway closed off by two gates at either end. We are being accused of a Ballymagash effort."
Job losses are also a constant focus for the regional papers. The Leitrim Observer reports: "Widespread outrage has been expressed at the manner in which the AIBP meat plant in Dromod was shut last week with the loss of 65 jobs in the area."
Local councillor, Sean McGowan, is quoted: "I must say I was extremely annoyed with the way this news was conveyed to the workers in the first place. It is also a huge blow to the business people of Dromod."
The New Ross Standard reports: "Uncertainty looms over the future of one of the oldest and largest employers in New Ross with the news of job losses at the Irish Driver Harris plant."
Aisling Donnelly's report says: "In another blow to the local economy the company announced that 42 jobs are to be shed nationally by Irish Driver Harris, the majority of which are expected to occur at its Millbanks plant on the outskirts of New Ross."
The Kingdom is in no doubt about its bad news. Its front-page headline says: "Move to Japan results in job cuts in Killorglin." Mary Murphy reports: "Kerry was dealt a massive economic blow when it was confirmed that the Japanese-owned Fujisawa (sic) plant in Killorglin is to shed 42 jobs."