Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

I rise to support Senator O'Meara. This Government has spoken a lot about regional development. Shannon Free Airport Development Company has acted as a catalyst for regional development over the years. This legislation provides that the entire industrial estate is to be handed over to the new airport company. Enterprise Ireland is moving to Shannon and the entire housing stock under the control of SFADCo is being handed back to Clare County Council. The Government has ended regional development in the area and this will mean the end of SFADCo, which is very sad.

Let us stop the hypocrisy of candidates saying they want regional development, decentralisation and activity in rural areas when we are actually proceeding in the other direction. This is rushed legislation. Senator O'Meara is right: if the Minister is to return to this in the autumn I cannot understand why there is such haste. I heard the Leader's interview over the weekend and I appreciate her honesty and forthrightness about this legislation.