I second the amendment proposed by our leader, Senator Darragh O'Brien.

I ask for an urgent debate on the Government's approach to rural and regional Ireland. There is a front page headline indicating that the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar, has decided he is disposed to closing railway lines throughout the country. There is no doubt the Sligo to Dublin railway line which a previous Government tried to close will be under attack once again.

At what stage will the Government's relentless attack on rural Ireland stop? We have seen small and rural schools closed, Garda stations have been closed, health services have been centralised and we have seen the first ever reduction in CAP payments. The Minister and his colleagues must realise there is a culture in this country, apart from that of Dublin. People live outside Dublin. They live in small towns, in villages and on islands. It is the Government's responsibility to support these communities, regardless of whether it is profitable to do so. What will happen next? Will they turn off the electricity at Mullingar or tell Irish Water not to provide water because it is not profitable to do so in the eyes of the Minister who lives in his ivory tower in Castleknock, Dublin 15? People and citizens are entitled to the support of the Government, including support for public transportation and utilities, however profitable.

These are provided down the country.

The Minister is responsible for providing these services in the Leader's region also, which, as he knows, has been discriminated against in the context of health services.

Fianna Fáil closed every railway line in the country when it was in power.

The fact that the Minister, Deputy Leo Varadkar, and some of his well heeled cousins in the gin and tonic belts of the nation do not feel there is a need for trains or public transportation for the people is not good enough. I am sure the electorate outside of Dublin will take note of this on 23 May.