Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Taoiseach recently said while speaking to a radio station or TG4 — I am not sure which — that he would retain the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Has the Minister spoken personally to the Taoiseach about this, and has he assured the Minister the Department will be left intact in light of the McCarthy report?

Has the Minister monitored the schemes he set up — some of which are very good — to see whether we are getting value for money? If not, will he put something in place to monitor them? I want to see real jobs for real people in rural Ireland.

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