Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I accept that there is a reduced amount of money but there are genuine fears as to how it is possible to bring a greater level of Government interference into a sector and expect that one can do the same with less money. Almost exclusively, when one increases Government involvement or regulation one dispenses with the voluntary activity because once the State takes greater control volunteers fall away from the project. It is my view that the impact on the voluntary sector will ultimately increase the cost level. If the money is not available, the service will diminish. It is not a criticism of Mr. Murphy, because he is constrained by the moneys available to him, but I will not leave the meeting with any confidence that the same level of service ultimately will be maintained. Given that there is less money and increased regulation I can only see that as having an overall negative impact. That is deeply disturbing, in particular to the vulnerable sectors that utilise and depend on the service to such an extent.