Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

They say that when one cannot answer a question, one should just keep talking. Does the Minister agree with me that issues such as rural transport, responsibility for the greenways which I believe would be far more appropriate to the Minister's Department in the context of rural recreation, marine leisure which, again, is just another form of rural recreation, the farm assist scheme, a sister scheme of the rural social scheme, the community employment and Tús schemes which are community schemes and policy on the Traveller community would be much better placed in his Department? Despite what he has said - obviously he must defend the citadel - it would show a real commitment to communities, both urban and rural, if these functions were transferred to the Minister. Would he like my assistance and that of the Opposition in getting these schemes transferred to his Department? Would he like us to start a vigorous campaign to ensure he will be given these enhanced powers? Does he want our help or not?

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