Mr. Paddy McGuinness:

I will give a general reply to all of the Senator's questions.

I refer, first, specifically to the fund. In the current period I advocate that we consider having a neutral charge. It is a very good idea to have a revolving rather than an investment fund because it keeps companies progressing and making money and the funds they pay back become available for new enterprises.

The commission has done substantial work on energy matters and published a good deal of research on the topic, about which I was reading last night. I am a newcomer to this, but I will bring my commitment to work hard, motivate the board to be constructive and the staff to work hard and co-operate. That is a general answer, but it is what I will bring to the organisation.

When I came to Ballina, there were three senior football teams in the area and the matches between them amounted to open warfare. Many of the players were on the Mayo team and when they played together, they passed the ball to one another. One of my roles with Mayo County Council involved chairing a county development board and I found it impossible to even get organisations to work together. The smaller the community the easier it was to bring it together in terms of drive and effort. I want to try to make it happen that Roscommon people can work with people from counties Mayo, Galway, Sligo and Donegal to create a united movement that will make our region the best, not the poorest. I do not say I will accomplish this, but I will try to instil this sentiment in both the board and the staff and hope we will make progress.