Alan Kelly (Labour)

The Government allowed applications for this fund to be made prior to the budget in the knowledge that it would be taken away in the budget. That was disgraceful.

I ask the Leader whether he can update Members regarding the mid-western development plan, which was put together last May and about which Members have heard nothing. I am unsure whether it ever will take place, particularly in the wake of the advent of the open skies policy and the possibility that Air France will withdraw its significant cargo service from Shannon Airport. The Government has committed to a plan for the mid-west but has not yet implemented anything.

I have asked for a debate on tourism for a long time, a subject close to the Leader's heart. Before Christmas, the Leader gave a commitment that such a debate would be held in early February. Has a date been set? The figures published earlier in January indicate the industry is suffering from what is termed the "hole in the doughnut", with the midlands and mid-west losing out.