Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Senator Ó Murchú spoke earlier about the impressive rally by Leader groups across the country which took place yesterday outside the House. What he did not say was that he was among the fine, eloquent speakers on the platform, although those of us who know and listen to Senator Ó Murchú will not need to be persuaded as to his eloquence. He spoke very clearly, as did others, about how this was a very significant example of an Irish success story, that is, the way Leader funding was delivered over the past couple of decades. It was an example of bottom-up community development and of local development companies, managed by people operating on a voluntary basis, with multi-sectoral representation. It delivered vital resources to rural Ireland to help close the gap between rural and urban Ireland and to improve the prospects of people's lives and to give employment.

Only a couple of months ago on St. Patrick's Day, I had the honour of being present when the former Tánaiste, Deputy Gilmore, opened a new community centre in my home town of Caltra, which was assisted by the local Leader group in the county. What has happened as a result of last year's legislation and what is causing great concern to people across this country is that there appears to be a power grab whereby the disbursement of these important resources will come under the control of local authorities through local community development committee. The question is, why are we fixing it if it is not broken?

Listening to the people on that platform yesterday, it seemed that a very important complement to politicians making decisions was ordinary people helping themselves and that seems be what Leader, and the way it was delivered, was been about up to now. I would be very grateful if the Leader could organise a debate on this. I do not believe it is too late for a change of course on this matter and the European Commission will examine it in due course.

It is about time the Taoiseach intervened in trying to secure these five Garth Brooks concerts in Dublin. I note what Senator Hayden said and I sometimes think the Labour Party does not get the importance of these things to many people in rural Ireland. It is no harm to involve President Barack Obama except Garth Brooks is more than likely a Republican, although he has said kind things about President Obama. I would say to give it until Monday and I would expect we will have these concerts. I suggest that if we are not back in love by Monday, as Merle Haggard once said, we can then go our separate way. I hope that by then, it will be well and truly sorted.