Johnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein)

As somebody who got elected to a local authority in 2014 because of a campaign I started about the state of the roads, additional money will always be welcome. It is very important that LEADER is not losing out either. Why is it LIS and not CIS? Is that because they are private, not public roads? Is that the reason the money is going? In Meath, we always have an issue with the lack of money for LIS, CIS and local and regional roads. For years, they have needed a lot of money to bring them up to standard. The head of the council said years ago that even in the north Meath area, where I live, there was €20 million needed to bring the roads up to standard, so we always welcome money for the roads.

If I can go off-track slightly - the Cathaoirleach - the rural regeneration and development fund, RRDF, measure 1 funding applications will be open in the next couple of weeks. I would like to ensure that Meath is not forgotten about this time, as it was last time. I ask that it be looked on favourably because of the work the local authority has put into these projects. The communities and these towns badly need a lift. When it comes up in the measure 1 funding for RRDF, I hope the Minister will do his best for Meath.