Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

With respect, I remind the Minister of his duties. He allocates the budgets which are being reduced specifically to pay rent while property lies idle and the fanciful decentralisation programme is still being adhered to in theory but not in practice. What he has just said is interesting. I asked him the amount being spent and he told me the matter was the responsibility of the Central Fisheries Board. When I challenged him on this, he said he knew the answer but would not tell me. I tabled a question. I did not ask who was responsible; I sought a pounds, shillings and pence answer but the Minister did not give it to me. As he said he knew the answer, let us hear it from him. How much has been paid in rent since the Central Fisheries Board moved into the premises? What is the total amount? Before the Minister replies, we should remember that this is money that could have been spent by the regional boards but was not.

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