Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Minister on his elevation to the Cabinet table. I am sure his knowledge of the current state of rural affairs will prove invaluable in his new role. Alas, given the deliberations to date and being aware of the contents of the Bill, the Minister's duties, powers and budget are reminiscent of those of a junior Minister. The Taoiseach is not taking seriously the Minister's portfolio. Many more powers need to be assigned to the Department.

As a rural Deputy, I am aware of the deficits that are fast accruing in rural areas. While the upkeep and sustainability of rural Ireland need not be solely dependent on substantial funding provided by central government, rural areas must be given their fair share of funding. The Minister must acknowledge that prior to the abolition of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs by the previous Government, the Department's annual budget had reached €410 million. While I accept that expenditure reductions became necessary in the intervening period, the substantial increase in Exchequer spending in recent years has not been reflected in a pro rataincrease for the Department. This is a reason to seriously doubt the Government's commitment to rural Ireland.

As I stated, deficits are fast accruing in rural areas. One of the main reasons is the unfair competition from larger urban centres. The common denominator is the roll-out of broadband services. If broadband were rolled out to rural areas as quickly as it has been rolled out to cities and major towns, the sustainability of rural areas would improve and rural populations would increase.

Over the years, rural areas have lost post offices and creameries as a result of globalisation. I will not make an issue of the closure of Garda barracks. Rural areas want their community gardaí back because they were not replaced when Garda barracks were closed. Instead, more Garda patrols were provided and while I acknowledge that the availability of patrol cars is great, no one knows the gardaí in them. As the Minister has stated over the years, community gardaí were good because they gathered knowledge, kept people in the community informed and kept people safe.

It is sad that local development companies have been shredded. I served on the board of Ballyhoura Development, a local Leader company, for many years. I saw the great work it did in a rural area where it funded enterprises and village projects. Alas, other villages that are trying to catch up are finding there is no money available for village renewal and similar projects.

I ask the Minister to ensure his remit is broadened to make his role more powerful in order that he will have a say in other Departments which also have a role in rural affairs. The Minister climbed the rungs of the ladder but the cart did not follow the horse. The problem is that the cart has been left behind. While I acknowledge his role and appreciate his elevation, the Minister has not been given the power and remit required to perform his functions to the best of his ability.

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