Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I know who objected to the hotel and the objection was due to the lesser horseshoe bat. Droppings were found under the tower where the hotel was to be located. The lesser horseshoe bat had never been seen north of Athlone but it stopped a development worth €100 million. Had it gone ahead, Boyle would now be a major tourist attraction. It is frustrating and annoying.

I ask the Minister and his departmental officials to consider whether something can be done for the towns to which I am referring, namely, those without hotels. Senator McDowell understands that Boyle needs a hotel but we cannot get a developer to build one. If we build one, we will then have five. I invite the Minister to come to Lough Key Forest Park to see what is an absolutely wonderful development. I also invite him to my town of Boyle to see for himself the need for Government involvement.

I congratulate the Minister on his plan and thank him for all of his work.