Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

I wish the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, all the best. He was a good Chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance and the Public Service and had interesting views on housing.

In the context of this Bill, no doubt the Minister of State will be aware that €10 million was allocated in the 2008 budget for the initial costs of the regeneration project in Limerick. I hope Limerick will have a friend in the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran. I hope the fact that we now have a Minister and Minister of State from Limerick city augurs well for the Government's commitment to delivering on the funding to allow the regeneration project bear fruit.

The regeneration project is great for Limerick and people have high expectations driven by the Government. Mr. Brendan Kenny is doing fantastic work in Limerick as the CEO of both regeneration agencies. However, it is extremely important that if one is going on a long journey one stops along the way to refuel. It is no good providing initial money if further funding is not provided. I hope next year's budget will put in place multi-annual funding for the regeneration project.

The Minister for Defence, Deputy Willie O'Dea, and the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Peter Power, are both from Limerick. Irish Aid is being decentralised to Limerick and we will have full decentralisation with 127 jobs. I expect the Government to live up to its commitment for the regeneration areas in Limerick and I hope the fact we have a Minister and Minister of State in the constituency means that the commitment will be honoured.

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