Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

When Deputy Danny Healy-Rae goes to Páirc Uí Chaoimh on 3 July to see the new stadium which the Government has given assistance to the GAA to build, he will pass through Macroom. He will be glad to know that the contractors have been appointed for the preliminary design of the Macroom bypass. It will not be done by the time he is coming back in victory or defeat from Páirc Uí Chaoimh but he will know that work will be under way.

A whole series of things are happening in terms of Leader funding, growth in tourism and sectoral jobs in County Kerry.

Any time I am down there during the summer, it is like the Washington turnpike with traffic and people all over the place, although the people in Kerry will say they are coming all right but they are not spending. That seems to be an age-old problem, particularly in that part of the kingdom.

The Deputy covered a range of issues. I would point out to him that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is starting the process of carrying out a review of the programme for capital expenditure. Based on that, he will respond in due course. I have also pointed out that we have other ways now of securing finance for major infrastructure projects. A line of credit will be available to pay back the loans relating to such projects, be they in respect of the road from Cork to Limerick or roads to other locations.

Kerry is in the mix. The growth in jobs is clear in the region. There are restrictions in terms of planning that are the responsibility of those elected to the county councils. It is very important that a proper balance be achieved in that regard. As the Deputy knows, many county councils do not cut the hedges all year round because there is a consideration in respect of songbirds and their nesting requirements.It is very scenic along the coast down there. The bushes do not thrive as well with the sea breeze, so there is not a requirement to have the hedges cut in all places. I had the privilege of trying to get around the Ring of Kerry on the old bike in June and I saw the Healy-Rae van parked in places just to remind us that they are still around. I hope that Kerry will get is fair share in the review that is being carried out by the Minister. I am sure it will. I do not doubt that when I sit down, Deputy Griffin will send me a text saying that I did not mention him.

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