Mr. Seamus Boland:

The Deputy must be joking that I applied. I certainly did not. In fact, if I had more sense I would have thought better of it and kept away. I was asked by the Department. I have done this kind of work before, including through Irish Rural Link. I thank Deputy Carthy for his kind words. When I was approached the only thing that attracted me is that I really do care about jobs in rural areas. We have seen too many of them being lost. Peat harvesting, which we have pulled out of, is a huge activity in the place I live in the midlands. I am very sad about that. I was really persuaded when the Department asked me to look at it and suggested that with my knowledge, I might see something. As the Deputy has probably gathered by now, my knowledge is not as good as I thought it might be. That is how I did it. I do not really regret it, despite my humorous words there, but it was a tough one and I understand the frustrations.