Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)

The Minister of State is laughing but this is not a laughing matter for people in Kerry. When I raise these issues with the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, I am advised that he has no official responsibility to the Dáil in this regard and that they are a matter for An Post. When I ask the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, about health related matters, I am told they have nothing to do with her. This seems to be the mantra of every Minister. Why is the Minister of State sitting there listening to this debate? He might as well go to Grafton Street for a coffee because the Government is not taking responsibility.

The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources must heed the concerns of people in rural areas. It is clear that the policies of the Government are leading to the destruction of their way of life. People in Dublin seem to have forgotten it was the people of rural Ireland who made this city.

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