Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I could be here for the evening but nevertheless the Minister of State is aware of these areas and has visited them recently. He taught in Dunmanway and was involved in the cub scout movement there. I was in the beavers at that stage as I was too young to be in that net.

Cork County Council has provided a land bank on the Clonakilty road in Dunmanway. There are people who encourage the development of food units, the production and presentation of outlets and the development of manufacturing facilities. This is a significant step forward and I urge the Minister of State, Deputy Trevor Sargent, to exert all possible pressure to get as much as possible for this part of the economy. The small measures matter and from little acorns tall trees grow. If we invest in these areas and put in place proper training, management and funding, then we will be responsible in no small way for rebooting rural economies.