Longford disadvantaged-area exclusions
Reynolds asks why disadvantaged parts of Longford were excluded despite previous additions and the Minister’s familiarity with local hardship. The Minister says the areas did not meet the criteria, rejects the claim that the decision was political, and notes they were also omitted in 1979.
I do not know whether Deputy Byrne was extracting teeth or getting glasses but if he was trying to extract information, he has the wrong Minister here. If the other Minister was here he would have to admit that he had his own area included, so let us be blunt about it.
Comment on this
The Minister here today was down in north Longford and he knows the hardship there and the bad land——
Comment on this
The Minister knows as well as I that the criteria applied to Longford, so can the Minister explain on behalf of the people in Longford why they have not been included?
Comment on this
When the chance came in 1979 it was remarkable that they were not put in either and they were no better or worse that they are now.
Comment on this
On the two previous occasions on which the disadvantaged areas were advised, extensive areas of County Longford were included. We did not expect all areas of Longford to be included at one go, but we made progress on each of the other occasions. Those areas stand out as being totally disadvantaged, so can the Minister say why they were not included?
Comment on this
The criteria were applied to all areas under review. On this occasion the areas of which the Deputy speaks did not meet the requirements.
Comment on this
Will the Minister confirm that this was not a political decision? Anybody who examines the areas included can come to no other conclusion than that it was a political decision. It does not speak well for the Minister who represents our area in Cabinet.