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

While the point is taken that the winter was bad, it should never have occurred because it should all have been spent last year. They had a summer last year during which to spend it. It was given in 2016, not spent in 2017 and we are now making an excuse about 2018. I accept that not having taken the money back on 1 January, the Department could not expect people to spend it given some of the weeks in March this year. However, we need to put time limits in place for everything, including approvals and the whole lot, because otherwise it creates bad habits. Something else became very apparent when I asked a few questions. The gross capital profile for the first three months of the year was €12 million, of which the Department only spent €4 million. The Department had expected to spend €7.587 million on town and village renewal, but only €647,000 was spent. The Department is giving the money but they are not delivering and we seem to be going the same merry way all the time. We cannot get the money on the ground to benefit people and there seems to be no urgency out there. It is not for me to tell the Minister his business, but the time has come to make an example that the people's money cannot be messed around with. If approvals and money are given, it should either be spent or given back and provided to someone who will spend it.