Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Now that I have been reunited with the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, in another Department, I can say there is no greater champion of expenditure in rural Ireland, including the part of the Deputy, than him. I have no doubt that, in the time ahead, he will continue to make the case for the priorities the Deputy has referred to. I will certainly do my best to help. I am well aware of the difficulty of making a case for not spending money when there is so much within our society and rural Ireland that needs support and further progress. I understand that point entirely, but what we are doing is increasing, year by year, the amount the Government is spending. In doing so, we are making every effort to prioritise rural Ireland and respond to the needs of the citizens to which the Deputy is referring. Colleagues such as the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, and Deputy Ring are always making the case for that investment. We have made big differences and have made big increases in expenditure. I will do my bit to maintain that progress and continue to make progress on the priorities the Deputy has referred to.

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