Martin Conway (Fine Gael)

I agree with the Minister's sentiments on decentralisation. This is a country in which one is only four or five hours away from anywhere. Therefore, decentralisation, in particular the last tranche of it, was flawed.

I spoke to the Minister privately about the swimming pool project announced a month or six weeks ago. It was impractical for many counties to take advantage of the funding. I did not see anything specific in the capital programme in regard to swimming pools for 2012 but I know from speaking to the Minister that the Government is favourably disposed to looking at this. It would be a way of sustaining employment, particularly in rural areas.

In terms of the e-tendering process for projects worth more than €50,000, is there any scope to raise that figure to €250,000 before one must go through the e-tendering process? I hate to shout about the green jersey but this is a time of crisis and if we are to try to secure employment and if Irish companies are to have any opportunity, e-tendering is probably counterproductive from our point of view. I realise we have certain EU obligations but is there any scope to up the figure substantially?