Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

Can the Minister of State explain why the independent board established by legislation is being sidelined and stifled in its endeavours? It has done good work and the record will show that. However, when the Minister discovered that he could not influence it in line with his preferences, he decided to move the goal posts and take the responsibility. The urgency with which the change is being made makes everybody suspicious that it is related to the run up to the elections and to shore up some of the difficult areas in the country.

The people have had enough lies. They are waiting. They will not be bought off for the second time running. That is the reason it is so important that the status quo be maintained. An independent body would distribute the fund for many worthy purposes. That is the way it has been operated until now. We put this motion forward in support and recognition of the work it is doing. We have confidence in the board and its capacity to deliver funding fairly to where there is greatest need. The applications put forward by the various community bodies should simply state: "We want money for this, assess our project and then our need and grant us accordingly". If there is any deviation from that, the public will know that the Minister and the Minister of State are doing something that was never intended.

The board was established by legislation in 2002. Now that the Ministers are desperate for funds, they have decided to sideline it. They will give it an advisory role in the background and it will be allowed to make occasional recommendations of insignificance. That is what the Minister seeks. The Minister of State said "it was found that there were deficiencies in the arrangements". That is not the case. There were obstructions to their plan. When they failed to get their hands——