Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is very familiar with the process of establishing Leader companies and the potential for a hiatus at various points in the development of the programme. I have gone through the process on a number of occasions, and I know that it always comes out very well in the end. My job is to expedite the rural development programme and I assure the Deputy that we had an extremely positive meeting in Brussels last week. It is a priority for me to get it rolled out at the earliest opportunity because I know communities depend on this support. It will take time to go through the process, as the Deputy is aware, but we will get there in the end.

See this speech in context