Lisa McDonald (Fianna Fail)

Perhaps this subject should be addressed again as several other speakers wish to contribute and there is enormous interest in this issue.

However, as a young mother, it is highly difficult to take a pram on to the road as one taking one's life in one's hands when one ventures out in rural Ireland. People should not be prisoners in their own homes. Some would suggest they are prisoners in their own homes because they are unable to visit rural pubs, which is another issue that must be considered.

As I have the opportunity, I refer to the reduction of the blood alcohol limit from 80 milligram to 50 milligram. I would like to examine the underlying statistics in this respect because I am unsure whether this step is necessary. Perhaps the provision of footpaths should be considered. This would make it safer for people to walk home from the pub. Moreover, I refer to the subject of transport. We should examine whether, under the FÁS or CLÁR projects, it would be possible to have a non-partisan initiative whereby a pick-up service could be provided. People in these schemes could be put to the task of bringing people home from pubs.

I acknowledge the work of the GAA and of the Irish Countrywomen's Association. These are at the heart of rural communities, especially the GAA. Some clubs provide transport home at weekends and that must be acknowledged. I fully support every cent that goes from the sports capital scheme to the GAA clubs for development because it goes back manifold into the community.

The instances of urban decline and the attempts to address them, such as the Ballymun and Moyross projects, are known to all. There is also a social desolation and silent decline in rural Ireland but it is not heard because the people are a little quieter. They are under pressure. Rural crime features attacks by people from outside the area. City dwellers stalk the area and pass on the information they obtain. This is going on and a high-profile response is needed. The answer lies in getting together with the local clubs, post offices, etc.

We must invest in infrastructure. The Minister is doing valuable work but he cannot do everything. There are related Ministries, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Department of Transport, all of which must come on board. There must be a unified response and a balancing of economic progress with the social needs of rural Ireland.