Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the necessary focus on rural Ireland. Little as it is, I welcome the plan. As the previous Senator said, most of it is a rehash of the broadband strategy and other elements.

One of the things that has concerned me since the Government came to power is its total disregard of and lack of focus on disadvantaged urban areas. The issue has totally dropped off the radar. From Blanchardstown to Finglas and Cork to Limerick, there is no longer a focus on revitalising disadvantaged areas. The Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development, RAPID, programme was introduced by the former Minister of State Eoin Ryan, whom I commend for introducing such a focused and targeted measure. Unfortunately, the areas included have been forgotten by the Government. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate, at his earliest convenience, on the need for investment in urban areas, especially disadvantaged areas that have dropped off the radar and been left behind. In many cases, the only time one hears about disadvantaged areas in Dublin and Cork is when some unfortunate person has been murdered and a task force is then established. We need a planned response to tackle disadvantage in urban areas.

I do not support the call for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to attend the House today because he is scheduled to attend on Thursday. I ask Senators to make an effort not to score political points when debating the issue of Brexit which presents one of the greatest challenges Ireland has ever faced, both North and South. I will not be preached to by Sinn Féin that the Taoiseach must look after the interests of Northern Ireland. He will look after the interests of the Thirty-two Counties as best as he can, but four Sinn Féin Members have been elected to the parliament at Westminster and collect expenses of £500,000 a year. They, too, must play their role by going to Westminster to fight for the Six Counties to make sure the North will receive special status. Yes, the Government here must do its upmost to ensure the best possible deal is done for the Thirty-two Counties, but I will not be preached to by Sinn Féin that the Government must carry the load on its own. If one takes the Queen's shilling, one should do the work. Let the Sinn Féin Members go to Westminster to fight to secure a proper deal for Northern Ireland. Let us fight alongside them to make sure we get the best possible deal for this country in the Brexit negotiations.