Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will wrap up now because we are banging our heads off a brick wall on this. I understand what the Minister is saying about tax incentives, but he also needs to remember and be conscious of the fact that we are limited in what we can put forward in respect of the Finance Bill. I am agnostic about the vehicles that are used. The core principle is that there needs to be specific geographic targeted incentives in these particular locations. He mentioned the regional enterprise plan. Of course, the plan does not include Roscommon and east Galway because Roscommon and east Galway are in the western plan. As we know, whether we like it or not, and whatever way we slice it and dice it, Mayo, Sligo and Galway city have a disproportionate say in that regard, even though it is a regional plan.

It would make far more sense for Roscommon and east Galway to be part of the midlands plan and the addressing of those challenges. Even something as simple as that would make a significant difference. When I was part of the Government, we designated Athlone as one of the growth centres. Nevertheless, if a person goes over the county boundary on the edge of Athlone, he or she is in a different regional enterprise strategy.

I accept funding and grants are coming, which is welcome. I have given the Minister a practical example of the challenges faced by the community in Ballyforan. I could do the same for Lanesborough, Clontuskert, Shannonbridge and Ballinasloe, where they face the exact same issues. I gave an example yesterday on another aspect of the fund, which is the retrofitting of local authority houses, and this only happens in mixed housing estates. No rural houses are being included. I have no doubt the Minister will ensure that problem is resolved. It is always the same and we just cannot get a practical, implementable, focused and targeted initiative.

The just transition commissioner, Mr. Kieran Mulvey, has said we should hold on to the two power plants. He has said there should be targeted geographic incentives. I ask the Minister to mull over this between now and Report Stage. I will withdraw both amendments, with leave to reintroduce.