Eamon Scanlon (Fianna Fail)

I extend a warm welcome to the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. I cannot understand why he was barraged as he made his speech. CLÁR funding for county councils is available but they must apply for it and be in a position to match it. There is possibly why Galway County Council did not apply for CLÁR funding. Senator Ulick Burke would be advised to see if this was the case.

When a Minister visits a constituency, the acid test of success is the number of people who wish to meet him or her. Those involved in community work know the Ministers who work hard for them. When the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs comes to County Sligo, which has suffered serious depopulation over many years, he is inundated by community groups. We are fortunate that Deputy Ó Cuív holds this portfolio. When he left Dublin for Connemara, he was involved in a co-operative business and saw how hard it is to get the business off the ground and keep it going. He has firsthand knowledge of what is needed in rural areas. Due to this experience, as the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs he has made a difference to those living in remote rural areas.

Senator McHugh referred to local issues and, of course, all politics is local. I wish to give an example of a father and two sons involved in a furniture business in County Sligo. They struggled for years to build up the business. However, they needed new machinery which required a three phase electricity supply. The costs of installing such a system were £20,000, which was unaffordable to this man. However, under the CLÁR programme he was able to avail of grants to have the supply installed.