Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

This House should debate where we are going and where we have been with rural development. Has the Minister introduced Gaeltacht house grants for windows, doors and roofs again this year? Is there any hope for their introduction?

I am disappointed the Minister had to cut back on the scheme where children stay in houses in the Gaeltacht. I compliment the Minister on that scheme and I supported him very strongly on it. It is big business in Gaeltacht areas and creates employment. The Minister should not worry about the McCarthy report. McCarthy is another one who wants to live in Dublin 4, Dublin 5 or Dublin 6; he does not want a rural Ireland. He wants to keep only the cities going and have us for coming down to at weekends to shoot snipe.

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