Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)

Clare County Council received €15.6 million whereas other county councils received more, for example Laois, €18.3 million and Waterford almost €23 million, which shows that Ministers are delivering to their own counties. I do not wish to say anything about the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, at this stage but let us hope that he will deliver to Clare in future budgets. Clare was sixth from the bottom in the Department of Finance's funding league.

The Bill also falls short in respect of Shannon Airport. Over the past 18 months I have heard many statements from Ministers for Transport about a major tourism and economic plan for the region to cushion the blow from the introduction of open skies. The region has a history of innovation and with the proper Government support can play a pivotal role in its development. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey, admitted in an interview on local radio last week that there was nothing new in the plan announced then but that it was a restatement of commitments already announced. The plan is about as exciting as a reheated lunch. It offers nothing and lacks imagination. Much of the money the Minister allocated had already been allocated in the budget in 2008 and it falls well short of the €53 million envisaged by the mid-west regional authority. The Government has failed the mid-west. It ran away from the problem caused by the ending of the Shannon-Heathrow service last year.

The delays in the construction of the extension of the US customs and border protection facility at the airport should be resolved as quickly as possible. I welcome the announcement yesterday by Zimmer of 250 jobs for the region over the next two years, and its €50 million investment. The Shannon duty free zone has been crying out for investment for many years. The good news however should not deflect from the serious blows to the area in recent months. Jobs were lost at John Crane, Aer Lingus, Tyco Electronics and yesterday Shannon Community Group closed with a loss of 22 full-time jobs for people with special needs. I hope those jobs can be reinstated in another area because these people find it hard to get jobs. I would like to see the development of more new companies throughout the county, particularly in my area, west Clare where it could play a major role in sustaining rural communities.

The provisions of the Finance Bill do not go far enough in extending tax credits for research and development. It does not introduce the necessary measures to enhance Ireland's position as a destination for foreign direct investment. I urge the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to rethink and address these concerns.

I refer to the issue of schools, for which funding is completely inadequate. I welcome the announcement last week by the Minister for Education and Science on funding to Ballyea national school in Ennis, County Clare. Although Government Deputies will disagree, as an Opposition Deputy I played a role in embarrassing the Minister into delivering on this project. However, other schools throughout the county have infrastructural problems including St. Michael's community college in Kilmihil and the primary school at Inch, which awaits an extension. Moreover, three schools in Ennistymon are awaiting the go-ahead for amalgamation. The provision of education for young people constitutes a test of the Government, which it has failed.

I pay tribute to a great visionary, Dr. Brendan O'Regan, who died last week. Given the challenges the economy faces, we need a vision for the future and it is up to the Government to provide it. While Fine Gael also will provide vision, urgent investment is required in roads, railways, airports and sewerage schemes, as well as the infrastructure for towns and villages. The Finance Bill is a major disappointment. The Government has no long-term vision, lacks imagination and has passed its sell-by date.

See this speech in context