Mr. Enda Stenson:

I thank my colleagues for allowing me to say my cúpla focal now even though I was due to be the fourth speaker. I probably have the longest journey home and transport to Leitrim is not always the easiest. I know my colleagues will cover everything that needs to be said. I believe there should be better consultation with local authorities. There is a lack of consultation in this country from top to bottom. We can be working away, but I am not sure at times. I do not know whether the funding is coming through to help the wonderful regional assemblies and their wonderful staff. The western and Border regions probably suffered more over the years of the Troubles and all of that than any other region of this country. I think we deserve better help at times. Our transport system and everything else is not at the same level.

We have three regions in this country - the Dublin region, the southern region and the western region. The western region might be the poorest of the three. I believe something has to be done for our rural towns, particularly in the western region. The centres of many rural towns are dying. We need to get help from somewhere. I appeal to the relevant authorities to help us through this. I know there was a programme on RTE lately about rural degeneration. There is no place like the west and rural Ireland. People might be surprised to hear I would never for the life of me leave somewhere like Leitrim. We love that part of the country. I think there should be greater co-operation with places like our region. I appeal to people in higher levels of authority to facilitate that.

We used to have a huge industry in our county. Deputy Durkan mentioned that up to 20,000 people are employed in large places in Germany. That is comparable in relative terms to what we had in Carrick-on-Shannon when MBNA employed 1,200 people there. When people came into the town, they immediately knew something was happening. Sadly, MBNA is gone. The regions should be supported in things like that. Employment should be given back to the regions. That is what will keep the regions alive. We never want to let the regions die.

I will hand over to my colleagues. I thank the committee very much and am sorry that I have to leave.