Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

They have improved a lot since with the Wild Atlantic Way and everything else.

Allow me to finish. We think they were all started during our time by the way. The Minister, Deputy Ring, kept saying how depressed things were and I said that if it was that bad, it would be great that people were moving out. No one would want to live in an area like that. I did not believe that, however. I said that, in fact, living in Connemara was a great thing. It is a fantastic community and if it got fair play, it would be the best place in the world. Despite the lack of infrastructure, we have developed fantastic industries. I said we needed to take a more positive view and I am delighted the Minister listened to me and has now adopted a very positive view.

I remember going down to Ballycroy one night. I do not think the Minister was there. There were about 300 people in a hall.

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