Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

During the lifetime of the last Government, the Minister of State was responsible for shafting the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, from his portfolio in the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands because he operated, what he called, a slush fund which he used to improve roads, rivers, drains and bridges in his part of the constituency. When he went to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, he created a new scheme, CLÁR, which was beneficial to areas of declining population. He used it to its maximum potential. In an effort not to be outdone in his new portfolio, he invented a new scheme about which the Minister of State, Deputy Fahey, does not know anything. He says it is the same scheme and that he is working with him. I am delighted because I was confused about the level of co-operation in that regard.