Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael)

I welcome my constituency colleague, the Minister of State. I also welcome his contribution and, in particular, the proposal regarding the HSE and other agencies. I welcome all the detail he has in the document, in particular the stipulation that local authorities, the HSE and other bodies will pay people within 15 days of receipt of an invoice. Like many previous speakers, I, too, run a small business and I know there is serious pressure on cash flow. Another major problem is credit from banks, which I hope will be freed up.

A number of other issues arise, in particular tourism. I wish to highlight a number of tourism projects that can work in the west and north west, especially in Sligo-North Leitrim. I received a telephone call on my way to the House this morning saying that bus loads of tourists are now visiting "The Rainbow" every day. Senator Mooney will know exactly what I am talking about. There is a great opportunity for the development of Seán MacDiarmada's house given the proximity of the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising. We could take many people into areas in north Leitrim such as Glencar waterfall and Parkes Castle. They are areas on which we can work. I look forward to working with the Minister.

One problem has come to light in recent months. Contractors from outside the jurisdiction were carrying out works in Border counties, employing subcontractors and not paying them. The issue has been raised at council level in Sligo and Leitrim.