Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

Will the Leader organise a debate on regional development? This is in the context of the proposed Cork to Swansea ferry link which Senator O'Donovan and I raised yesterday. I am disappointed to read in the Irish Examiner today that it is 95% certain a consortium will not run the ferry next year. It seems neither the Members of this House on the Government side nor the Cabinet believe life exists beyond the M50. I am disappointed no member of the Green Party is present in the House because we still do not have a commitment that incentives for the Cork docklands will be included in the Finance Bill.

On Monday night at a public meeting on co-location, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, stated that while on one level a proposed site for co-location is unsustainable he was in favour of it. It is important to the people of Bishopstown and Wilton who will have a co-located hospital foisted upon them that we have this debate.