Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I did not intend to start on a negative note but I was disappointed, although not surprised, with the negative contribution of Sinn Féin with regard to rural Ireland. Having listened to Sinn Féin contributors over many years I thought they had a deep interest in rural affairs and they would welcome a specific Department with responsibilities in that regard, headed up by a Minister of the calibre of the Minister, Deputy Ring. I thought they would have welcomed this and that they would have sought to support the Minister in coming up with solutions rather than engage in constant, negative commentary. Perhaps, it is no surprise that Sinn Féin does not have great rural electoral support.