Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)

Despite all the Minister of State had to say, nothing can be done without money. I have not heard anything that suggests any more resources will be put into this area.

The Minister of State spoke about being positive and negative. If I get a telephone call from a person telling me my house is burning down, I will not complain to the person for telling me, rather I will thank him or her for doing so and will then put it out. As regards positivity, if done right, this could be the most positive thing that could happen to this country. That we would not have to pay over the odds for materials is positive.

Since being elected to this House, I have had many meetings with people, including on this issue. The meeting on this issue was more positive than were all the other meetings put together. The sum of €4 billion is a great deal of money. There is much we could do with it. I am not confident, despite what is being provided for in this amendment, that this practice will not continue into the future, and all because of minuscule resources relative to €4 billion per annum. Regardless of what the Minister of State says, this is pointless unless resourced.

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