Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth, to the House. The transition from brown to green is happening. I want to mention north-east Roscommon because Lanesborough and Ballyleague in Longford, as the Minister of State knows, are separated from the area by the River Shannon. The people of that region are prepared to make that change but, as Senator Carrigy has eloquently pointed out, commitments were made by Bord na Móna and the ESB, two semi-State bodies, to help society. I acknowledge the Minister for funding we already received. Senator Carrigy mentioned Lough Ree Access For All, the food hub, the distillery and other projects in the area, which are very important, but the point we are making is that it would appear that Bord na Móna and the ESB are pulling back. They do not seem to be prepared to live up to their word. It is crucial for our communities in the region that those semi-State bodies stick to their word. We need assistance. The people of the region, with their politicians, will implement the programmes and make the changes. The Minister of State will understand this very well. It has been a core argument of Government that society and communities have to be helped to get over the line. I will not labour the point.I will not labour the point. The Minister of State knows what Senator Carrigy and I are saying. We need those semi-State bodies to deliver that money for the Lanesborough-Ballyleague area. In general, the ESB has committed €6 million to community projects, so it needs to live up to that, as does Bord na Móna.