Mr. Robert Nicholson:

Before I start, I will add the caveat that I am speaking to overall rural policy. I would caution that I am perhaps getting into the area of the line responsibility of other Departments.

I will start with an anecdote. I live 2 km up an old boreen myself and I was extremely happy to be able to get a grant to cover the full cost of water facilities from Limerick County Council, with very little bureaucracy.