Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Senator's genuine concerns in this matter and take on board the good case he has made. I discussed the issue with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Kelly, this evening after I saw that this Adjournment motion had been tabled. We are prepared to reconsider applicants with disability or health-related functions to determine whether anything can be done in the short term. However, there must be co-operation with possible amalgamations - we do not know whether that will happen yet - of some of the groups that have similar interests so as to avoid duplication. The Senator should be satisfied that the Minister and I have agreed to re-examine the matter.