Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

It is the most radical budget in the history of the State. We have never had such an extensive and fair decentralisation scheme bringing entire Departments to the regions. The Houses of the Oireachtas are the only ones excluded in the programme. We could have gone to Athlone or even Roscommon, however we are hopeful to stay where we are. Bringing the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to Knock Airport is a magnificent gesture. It shows the fairness of the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív, as he could have brought it to his Galway west constituency.