Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

We support Senator Coffey's request for a debate under Standing Order 30 and I hope that, when a vote is called, Senator Ormonde will support it.

I welcome this morning's news that funding has been agreed for the next Leader programme for rural development. Michael Ludlow, the chair of the Irish Leader network and a man I worked with on Meath Leader when I was a director, said that as a result of €400 million in seed funding, we can expect to see €1.7 billion in investment in the rural economy. I am glad the Irish Farmers Association has welcomed the news. I support the requests that tourism initiatives and community transport schemes are included in local plans. It is important to get this right. People have predicted that it could lead to 10,000 additional jobs in rural areas. Europe has been, and continues to be, very good to us and I would like the IFA to say it is time to support Europe and to vote "Yes" in the forthcoming referendum.