David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. What are the timescales for these actions? Has he set deadlines for results? He acknowledged that these towns are the drivers of the regional and local economies. Has a list of these towns been compiled and an analysis carried out of what has happened in them? Business and enterprise has collapsed to such an extent in some of them that they have become dormitory towns. Does the Minister agree that people leave them in the morning to work elsewhere and do their shopping elsewhere, which means that even retail outlets in them are beginning to be impacted? It is important to know the timescales for the positive actions that have been outlined.

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