Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I do not intend to take much of the Minister of State's time. Like my colleagues, Senators Buttimer, Colm Burke and Lombard, I fully support everything he is trying to do in Cork. The negotiations in Cork were difficult and there are probably still difficulties there. Over time, I hope those difficulties will iron themselves out as they have in Limerick and Waterford. For the most part, I am supportive of everything the Minister of State is trying to do in this Bill. I have a difficulty with Galway which we will come to in due course. I do not want to do anything that would impede the passage of this Bill from the Cork perspective. In particular, I fully support what Senator Buttimer said last night about the development of Cork as the second city. The political system in Cork will come together and find the best way forward once this Bill passes, without its provisions on Galway.