Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to know the basis for the previous and current Governments' dislike of Leader companies. Rural areas have not had a Leader programme since 2013. It takes 18 stages to get a programme going and it is clear we will not have one in place until 2018. Five years without a Leader programme is not good enough. Rural Ireland is being hurt again. I am glad the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Humphreys, is here as perhaps she will explain what is wrong and why the Government dislikes Leader companies and, likewise, people in rural Ireland.

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