Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I asked the Minister what is the maximum grant that the new local enterprise offices can provide. Perhaps the Minister will also explain, in the context of the person seeking assistance, what is the significant difference between the new agencies and the former county and city enterprise boards.

Does the Minister believe the rationale for the fact that the IDA is the landowner of rural industrial estates while Enterprise Ireland and the new local enterprise offices will be providing the support? For example, with regard to the IDA estate in Roundstone, there is a million to one chance that the IDA will bring foreign direct investment in there. What is the logic in the IDA rather than Enterprise Ireland having that portfolio?

The Minister referenced the work done by the previous Government in respect of rural development. Will he explain the logic behind this Government's abolition of the post of Minister with responsibility for rural development before, three years later, commissioning a report whose first recommendation was the establishment of a Minister with responsibility for rural development?

See this speech in context