Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am not denying that and I know that. I know many of these projects that have been approved. Some of them have been approved in Leitrim. However, many of them have not been approved and have been set aside on the flimsiest of criteria. If the smallest mistake is made, out they go. This is the problem. During the last programme, the LDCs worked with people and if there was a bit of a problem, they sorted it out. Now there is no working with anybody. It is my way or the highway and that is the problem these community projects face the length and breadth of the country. I understand that the Minister is doing his best. I am not disputing that but the fact is that when it comes to Leader, the best is not enough. We are not getting the money out to the communities. People are not receiving this money and the people who are receiving it are afraid that when these inspectors come, they will find some problem with it and kick the whole lot out again because the process has been made far too complicated and costly. Too much money is going on red tape and not enough money is going to the people. In fairness, the Minister knows that as well. If he knows it, the time has come to call it out and say that the changes made in 2014 were a mistake and that we need to change it.

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