Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I again thank Senator Wall for raising this matter and giving me a chance to explain to him and the people of Athy what the situation is. The bottom line is that the area would not have met the criteria. We do not set the criteria; they are set by the European Union. The evidence on which the criteria are judged is not made up either. It is based on facts and data gathered in Kildare and in Athy. The bottom line is that it would not have passed the test. Senator Wall might have a different version of the facts, but I am afraid we must work with the facts as they are gathered.