Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Coffey for his comments on the rural regeneration scheme. He asked a few questions and spoke about individual cases. Naturally enough, I will not comment on individual cases. To be fair, many applicants under the first round of the rural regeneration scheme did not really know what was expected of them. I will outline the process, the funding, where we are going and what we have. The first round of the scheme was new for me and for the Department. It was new for everybody. We all learned a great deal from it. Many applications were received. Forty-six applications came from one county. I do not care how good they are. They could not get 46 applications for a rural regeneration scheme. Independent Deputies complained because they did not get funding. I would love members to go in to see the quality of the applications. It was just before the local elections. It was a case of one for everyone in the audience. That is not what the rural regeneration scheme is about. It is about the issues that the Chairman and Senator Coffey have spoken about. The Senator is right when he says that the Waterford greenway is a fantastic operation in his local countryside. It has lifted Thomastown and other towns and villages.