Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

I still do not get the point the Minister is making. He stated that the process has been slow. I fully agree with him in that regard. The process has been far too slow. The evidence he possesses in respect of improved services to community and voluntary bodies came in the form of responses he received from people on the ground. Is the Minister referring to the people he meets when announcing the allocation of grants? Is he discussing matters with the communities or with the service providers? I do not believe that he has made a case in respect of real progress being made in this essential part of the mission of his Department, which was established when the Government was returned to power.

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