I wish to discuss an issue which will cause serious concern, both inside and outside this House. It will have serious implications where I come from. I believe it is reflective of the tail-wagging-the-dog character of this limp Government.

What is the Senator talking about?

Fair play to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, for reopening his local Garda station and closing pubs in towns and villages all over Ireland that he has never heard of. Good luck to the Boxer; he has a hard neck and is a good politician with whom I have served.

Is the Senator referring to Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran?

I served with him and we know each other on personal terms, and I was delighted when he became a Minister of State.

The Senators criticised Fine Gael earlier about mouthing off when people get to their feet, so I would appreciate a bit of courtesy for Fianna Fáil. We are keeping Fine Gael in a job with a bit of support now and again, so I would appreciate a bit of courtesy.

The Senator is admitting to a coalition.

It must be the Valentine's Day effect.

Deputy Moran is calling the shots to keep this Fine Gael Government in power, and at any cost, it seems. Heretofore, Tullamore, Mullingar and Athlone were gateway towns, a development which had been ignored by Governments for the past ten years. Those Governments were happy to appoint them as gateway towns, and to promise money that was going to lead to large scale development in those towns instead of in Dublin. That never happened. The Boxer has prioritised Athlone as a new city under the national planning framework proposal.

With all due respect, the Senator should refer to the Deputy as the Minister of State, Deputy Moran.

Yes, the Minister of State, Deputy Moran. I apologise.

It might be a local term but the Senator has confused people in this House. He is not at a boxing match.

The Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Moran, has prioritised Athlone as a new city under the national planning framework proposals. This is a scandalous decision made by senior Fine Gael politicians to keep that party in office. I would ask Fine Gael to look at itself in the mirror and ask what was so wrong with the previous arrangements in Mullingar, Tullamore and Athlone, apart from the fact that no money was put into them. I call on the Leader to speak to the Taoiseach and ask him to revisit this situation. The people of the midlands are not happy.