William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)

I welcome the witnesses. I was involved in the LCDC for years when I was a county councillor. The money it brought in was fantastic. There were people representing all the different bodies on the different committees. The money was divided out and everyone had a say in it. That is important. That is what Dr. Ó Caoimh was alluding to as well.

I raised planning earlier, and I agree with everything that has been said in that regard. It is very difficult and we need to get it changed, as Dr. Ó Caoimh said. I do not agree with everything Dr. Ó Caoimh said. He alluded to the Beara Peninsula. Reading into what he said, is Dr. Ó Caoimh trying to take Cork people over to Kerry to play football? Is that what he is saying because that is what I got out of it? Surely to God, of all the counties, Kerry people are the natural footballers and the ones we are all looking up to. Kerry is the team that always has to be beaten. I propose, in all fairness, that we leave Cork with the players it has. That is all I would say in passing.