Reduction in port funding
Rabbitte asked whether the reduction from £72 million to £60 million reflected a shortfall in expected European funding. Wilson attributed it to negotiations: the final offer was increased but remained below the amount originally sought.
I want to call Deputy Rabbitte for a final question. I have dwelt over-long on this question. I want to make some progress on other questions also.
Comment on this
I want to elicit the reason for the diminution of the amount from that set out in the national plan, of a total of £72 million, down to £60 million now, and whether this is due to a shortfall in the amount originally expected from Europe.
Comment on this
It simply came as a result of bargaining and, as the Deputy will know, in Ballinrobe long ago, we made a demand, we were made a bid and we got the bid increased as far as we possibly could. The increased amount did not reach what we originally demanded, but I am sure the Deputy knows what used to happen at fairs.