Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The LIS is of particular importance to rural communities and parishes. There is often a misconception regarding whom it benefits. In many instances, it is not two family homes located along the road or laneway but, rather, up to a dozen. Unfortunately, when the Taoiseach was Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport he abolished the funding stream for the LIS. In recent years, some small-scale funding has been made available through the CLÁR programme, but it is not even nearly adequate. In light of the importance of the LIS to rural communities, I ask the Minister to put in place a funding stream for it in 2020 as was the case for many decades.

See this speech in context