I had virtually finished yesterday evening. I was summing up by saying that there is very little evidence, in this Dublin-orientated Government, of any concern for the people in the West. In particular, the Minister for Finance has proved that he has little knowledge of the situation and has no desire, apparently, to help. I appreciate that he has serious problems on his own doorstep. This evening's paper once again gives banner headlines about the steadily deteriorating job situation in Dublin City.
Only last week similar headlines dealt with the very bleak prospects for the younger people who will emerge from school this year. I can understand why he has problems other than regional problems. Obviously he must be concerned with what is now, to him, the greatest single difficulty of all, that is, a disastrously deteriorating situation where unemployment is concerned, in Dublin. All these facts re-emphasise the necessity for preserving for us on the west coast whatever funds are now available, or may be available in the future, to provide for our existing people there and also for the younger people who are, this year and in the future, to come on the labour market.
As I said yesterday evening, this Minister in particular has not shown any appreciation, or evidence that he appreciates, the situation of the people of the West. It seems obvious that he is concerned with providing them with sops, with substitutes for work. In other words, as far as he is concerned, he is happy enough, and that would appear to be Government philosophy as well that these people, rather than being provided with work, be provided with a place in a dole queue as a substitute.
If this is the situation for older people, what will be the prospects for the younger people, for they appear to be nil? Therefore, it is essential that as a result of this debate, we in this House and the people we represent in the country areas, should extract a firm undertaking from the Government that whatever funds percolate into our economy, intended for the benefit of the western areas and the more depressed parts of the country generally, will be used for the purposes for which they are intended and in pursuance of the Directives of the EEC.
I know that Deputy Kelly as Parliamentary Secretary, with his own personal knowledge of the situation in the West, shares my desires that this development should take place in the future. I know also that he shares with all of us in the West the determination that we, as public representatives, will do everything in our power to redeem the promises we made when asking the people to vote "yes" in the referendum. As I said last night, I am sure the people understand why some of the delay took place. What they would not understand, and would never forgive, is the diversion of any funds intended to be used for regional purposes into the general Exchequer. I look forward to the undertaking asked for by Deputy Colley and sincerely hope that it will be forthcoming.