Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

I am delighted to have the opportunity to support the motion and to welcome the Minister of State to the Seanad. We anticipated that the Minister of State would give us factual details about the current position, but he has caused more confusion. He read his speech, but when he spoke off the cuff he almost contradicted it. The reason is that there is political rivalry in his own party. Senator Brian Hayes spoke about the differences between the Progressive Democrats and Fianna Fáil in relation to community employment schemes. It would be a pity if political rivalry in one constituency ruined such schemes. The Minister of State and the Minister have responsibility for community employment schemes. However, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, stated recently that a new rural social economy programme would be established to provide secure community rated employment opportunities for persons in families eligible for farm assist schemes. It is obvious the Minister of State is not aware that his senior constituency colleague has his own scheme.