Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)

I thank the Tánaiste for her reply. When I asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, about this the other day, he said it was the responsibility of another Department. It must be somebody's responsibility. At a time of unparalleled growth, north-west Mayo has lost 1,600 of its population in six years. If that area had shared in the growth that occurred everywhere else, north-west Mayo would have doubled its population. It is the largest area of country which is in such a crisis, as shown by the 2002 census. If that level of depopulation continues into the future, north and west Mayo, from Killala to Newport, will be deserted by the end of the century. If any other species was declining in that region at the rate of homo sapiens, there would be an outcry.

What specific plans does the Tánaiste have in mind to arrest the population decline that is occurring in Mayo? I am not making these figures up; they are real. What special incentives will be given to the region, which is larger than many counties? Is the Tánaiste considering a special tax incentive scheme? Will she stop IDA grants to the east coast and the south until the west, particularly the north-west Mayo area, can achieve balanced regional development?

Promises have been made to supply natural gas to Mayo, but will that happen? I would be interested to hear the Tánaiste's reply. Two hotels have already closed in the Achill area, along with three flagship restaurants and dozens of bed and breakfast establishments, because insurance costs have quadrupled. The summer season is down to only four weeks at its peak, so how can hotels compete when they face the same overheads as establishments in Dublin, including rates, heating and insurance? The Tánaiste should explain what is going to happen in this respect.

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