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

I agree. Having held the Minister's position, one of the dilemmas of being Minister for Rural and Community Development is that it is actually easier and more defined. It is something that affects everybody in rural and urban settings. It is a segment of their lives. Rural people presume it is their life. It reflects all the shortcomings from rural areas.

As the Minister said, in many cases, we suddenly find that it is really in the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and so on. There are different Departments and people come to the Minister. Even rural transport does not come under her Department. I accept that, because I know the dilemma.

The Minister obviously understands the problem, no more than myself. I used a well at one stage and the best day ever was when we got on the group scheme that was connected to the mains, which meant it was taken over and now we have mains water. It was fantastic. It was absolutely brilliant and unbelievable. It is top quality and we do not have to worry about it.