Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister's offer to debate the various issues in the House on another occasion. Rural development is such a broad area that one cannot deal with it in one debate. I thank the Minister for his offer.

We welcome the increase of €425 million in funding for rural development under the Leader programme. What is the timescale for tendering from the various Leader groups around the country? Will there be a quick turnaround process in that regard? As I said earlier, many people are urgently awaiting such funds and hoping they will qualify for them.

I agree with the Minister's views on rural planning policy. We should revisit this matter. I am concerned by some terms such as "rural proofing". What is "rural proofing"? It should not be allowed to enter the political lexicon. Is rural proofing aimed against farmers or others? Is it just protecting rural areas for weekend use, as another speaker said? I hope that theory is not advanced in any way.

The Opposition will welcome whatever initiatives are announced to improve broadband penetration in rural areas. We have already been through the community broadband scheme, which did not achieve its objectives despite the money and resources that were spent on it. Britain and Northern Ireland have done it by achieving nearly 99% penetration, so surely we can learn from them. I ask the Minister to examine the UK model to determine methods of delivering broadband to rural areas. Nowadays, broadband is nearly as essential as rural water and sewerage schemes.