Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I hear what the Deputy has said. The Leader programme came into my Department's remit in late July of this year and many of these decisions had already been made at that stage.

Reference was made to Comhar na nOileán and representatives in east Galway. They are certainly talking at the moment. They are looking to see how they can work together. That is a good idea. My Department is supporting them in any way we can with those discussions. The Department has asked that the discussions would conclude by Friday 16 December to determine whether they can come up with a single strategy for that area.

I can understand the concern of Deputy Michael Collins. Again, I was not aware that ten years ago Comhar na nOileán was operating some of the parts of the west Cork Leader funding programme. I will come back to Deputy Collins on that issue and provide further clarification. Again, this is the local development company. It has been charged with rolling out Leader funding. Committee members will appreciate that it was decided by an independent process. It is not for me to get involved or revoke the decision of an independent process. I cannot undermine that.