Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

If I might ask another question, with regard to governance within the Department, what orders have been made relating to delegated functions for the Minister of State? What exactly is the job of Minister of State in terms of specific responsibilities? What delegated powers does he have? I ask the question in terms of the sports capital programme. I welcome the clarity that has been brought to that and the fact that the process will be simplified, with regional seminars, but what I do not welcome are the reports that it will be done on a system similar to that of a previous Minister where it will be weighted on a one, two and three basis in preference of the local Fine Gael TD in a particular constituency. If any organisation puts a huge effort into compiling an application for funding to upgrade its facilities for that community, that should be done in an open and transparent manner.