Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

What I am saying is that this Government is the first to develop an action plan for rural Ireland. We have outlined today what we have achieved in our time in government and what we have done for rural Ireland. I am very proud of what this Government has done. If certain people want to make comments I cannot stop them from doing so. All I can do is defend the Government and defend our role. We have played a very strong role in relation to rural development. The action plan is working very well. The action plan for jobs is also working very well.

The Western Development Commission has my full support. I will be working with the new CEO when he or she is appointed. I have also been working with the chief executive who is currently in place. The commission has a role to play in terms of rural development. There are lots of very good things happening in rural Ireland. However, there are some people who, at every opportunity they are given, will downgrade what is actually happening. There are lots of positive things happening. Of course, we want more money, development and jobs. It is the job of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys and myself to ensure that we provide whatever funding and infrastructure we can to make sure that the west and the north-west get the same opportunities as the east coast. That is why I set up the economic corridor - to make sure that we can compete with the east coast. That is working very well and I will be attending a further meeting next week about it. I am very proud of what this Government has done.