Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I had the opportunity to attend many shows last summer. I was at the Iverk show in Piltown and also at the show in Virginia. I hope to have the opportunity to make it to some shows this summer.

The budget of the Department of Rural and Community Development increased significantly this year. I think it was one of the biggest percentage increases overall. It is, however, the responsibility of the Minister to decide how those funds are divvied up. I am not sure what the situation is exactly in the context of rural shows. The Minister is in Castlebar at a very important political event, namely, the impending election of Maria Walsh to the European Parliament, giving Fine Gael a second seat in that constituency and topping off our best result in the European elections since 1984. I digress but I will definitely get the Minister to check on the issue raised by Deputy Eugene Murphy and respond to him directly. It might be four seats or five, but it will be the best result for Fine Gael since 1984. As a result, I have given the Minister the day off.

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