Ms Mary Hurley:

The Deputy's understanding is absolutely correct. That is where we are trying to get to. To get to that place, we must make sure the proofing model is robust, credible and that people buy into it. As he said, it is about red-flagging the issues and then decisions have to be taken or not. That is where we are trying to get to. It is these three pilots working with other Departments. There is a kind of hearts and minds thing as well. That is where we are trying to get to.

The our rural future strategy in itself, which is across government with various different objectives, is a piece about moving the agenda forward and changing the mindset. When we are looking at transport, we also have health and education and we must have regard to the rural piece as well. It is all tied up.

The Deputy is absolutely right, however. We want to get to that piece where it is red-flagged. What is the impact on rural Ireland? What is in it for rural Ireland? How can we make rural Ireland a better place? That is where we are working to get to.