Joe O'Toole (Independent)

In line with much of what has been stated previously, I wish to speak in strong favour of the scheme's retention. We have heard much about the rural landscape. The fine report put together by Senator Doherty earlier this year constituted a classic example of what needs to be done. The proposed cutback is a plan to denude rural Ireland of infrastructure and support and to isolate communities further. It follows along the lines of what happened to the western rail corridor. We needed to fight to bring it back into partial action. It was even more noticeable in the destruction of the fishing industry, particularly the salmon fisheries off the west coast. We have seen it go minic cheana sna Gaeltachtaí maidir leis an nganntanas acmhainní faoina gcoinne arís agus arís eile agus gan amhras it is now coming to the fore in the sort of Dublin 4 view of the world which is evident in the McCarthy report.

I support what has been said by previous speakers and the point made by Senator McDonald is important. I would like the Government to stand up and be counted because whereas people might have had a go at the Tánaiste about her comment that half the McCarthy report was not worth considering she was 100% right. When the McCarthy report was published we were told that if it were all put into operation it would take €5.9 billion out of infrastructure and public services, and we all said it will be taken out every second month, but as raised this morning by Senator Alex White it now appears the Government is considering putting the entire report into action. It is important to clarify that issue.

My understanding was that the McCarthy report was an À la carte menu which the Government would consider, in conjunction with the taxation report, and then make its judgments. This now appears to be the gospel according to Dublin 4. The idea that they can now decide how the rest of the country will be run and how we can save money here without taking any notice of the hardship and the pressure it will create for ordinary people in living their lives is wrong. There is enough isolation in the community. There is enough lack of support. People are lonely in their houses. The kind of support this initiative provides is invaluable. I defer to my colleague, Senator Doherty, because he has done a huge amount of work on this issue in the past year and even longer.