Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

That is an entirely disingenuous reply by the Taoiseach. He took me through a description of the process. We know what it is; the question is why the Minister felt it necessary to abrogate his legislation and promise amending legislation so he can get his hands on the money.

It is blatantly disingenuous to imply that an applicant might rip-off the system by applying under six different headings and that the Cabinet will be able to sort this out. The fact of the matter is that is why the independent board was established. That is why the independent board was going to make decisions on what projects should or should not be assisted. It is a blatant political gimmick to get their hands on this money for political purposes.

Whatever one associates with the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, it is not transparency. I never understood any answer he gave me on any controversial issue. The most disgraceful and dishonest act of this Government was the commitment that the Taoiseach made in advance of the last general election that £2 billion would be transferred under the RAPID programme to areas of disadvantage and it did not last until the election was over. Some £2 billion was promised to disadvantaged communities and the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, pulled the plug on the entire lot after £5 million had been wasted in agreeing plans that the Taoiseach said would be funded. He is now going to use this as a fig leaf; a disbursement plan, this is a disbursement electoral gimmick and a disgraceful take-over for political purposes of moneys that were not the Government's in the first place.

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