Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

My point is that, like me, many other Deputies come from the metropolis, and they are hurrying in one direction. They are monoline thinkers and monoline contributors to the powerful and vested interests of the country, where the resources are concentrated towards multinational corporations, taxation and so forth. Out on the coast, within the 12 mile limit, there is the conjunction of the land of Ireland, the sea, the resources and the people who are on those borders. They are on the threshold of our island. It makes sense to understand that and to make sure they are not starved, because the recommendations are saying that they are starved in many respects. Being an urban voice and having an urban mind, I am trying to say: "Listen to the trees. The leaves are shrinking. The plant will die - the plant is the country - unless we pay attention to the nourishment of the leaves." The leaves are the islands and the coastal areas.

I thank the sub-committee whose members have done the legwork on this, the measurement and presentation of the facts. There is a context for the rest of us to understand and not to ignore the importance of getting resources to the areas that are crying out for them, so there will be a better, healthier and more meaningful weave of the fabric of the country. That is my point.

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