Michael Brennan (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív. We in County Limerick appreciate his efforts under the CLÁR programme and the proud tradition of public service by the de Valera family since the foundation of the State.

The Minister gave a detailed account of the €22 million spent over the last two years. Projects selected by local authorities for their strategic importance are detailed. Spending on non-national roads amounted to €5 million while spending on local improvement schemes came to €2.18 million. Local roads and safety improvements were also projects selected by local authorities. Water and sewerage schemes have also received additional funding.

Who can disagree that local authorities are in the best position to ascertain the merits of an application? Funding allocations are above reproach. Many other schemes have been included under the programme such as village enhancement schemes and local authority housing estates. I compliment the Minister's work on the rural development forum programme. This is additional money and Senators should support the Minister in securing any additional funding for the CLÁR programme. The Minister has ensured that under the rural development forum all funding under various Departments for rural development is taken into consideration. Under the rural housing programme, the Minister was the first to highlight the problems with the guidelines.

The Minister will have the Seanad's support in implementing his departmental programmes. On behalf of the people of rural Ireland, Icongratulate him and wish him well in his endeavours.