Mr. Michael O'Mahony:

To say that it should be €500,000 or so is probably a short-term solution because any of the energy projects that I was referring to are multi-million euro projects. Communities have to be involved. While on the topic, the Leader funding has been decimated - it is down by 70% - and the mid-term review of the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, is on at the moment. This needs to be addressed. We feel we are providing huge value to the State and the people of Ireland by doing things at the lowest possible level. Leader is in that idea. There is a funding agency that is close to the communities and knows the communities that it is funding rather than anonymous county councils or agencies at central government level. Leader is an effective mode of funding. Its funding should be increased at the next possible opportunity.