Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

According to the Minister's figures - not mine - on 15 April, total project payments under the Leader programme were €1.5 million. The administration is easily budgeted for because it is the same when aggregated over the year - it is approximately €11 million. The Chairman asked a question about clearing roadblocks and so on but the Minister made a valid point in reply. If there was €50 million approved by September or October, which would be a ramp-up to double where we are at present, the reality is that at that stage, it would be up to the people who get the money to spend it, make the claim and do everything right. We know that takes time. All of us here are practical politicians. No other person will knock down the Minister's door to get a plan and then, six months or a year later, not have started the house. What can one do about it?