I repeat what I said earlier. Section 1 in this Act, the Act of 1980, means the Employment Guarantee Fund Act of 1980. I believe the disbursement of the fund was done in a wise way. I remember Deputy Desmond and others made representations to all three parties associated with that fund. Despite the Minister's comments, it was a wise decision to allocate some additional funds as they were allocated to Dublin County Council and Dublin Corporation. Deputy Desmond said there would be a whole new look at this. I made a commitment and I stand over it. It is important in the context of the young people because no Government prior to the last Fianna Fáil administration gave any worthwhile assistance to sporting facilities, community amenities or sporting complexes for young people.
An adequate tribute was paid to you, Sir, by some of my colleagues that you, during your time in the Department of Education, stood as someone who did more for youth than any predecessor in any office simply because of various funds made available by the Fianna Fáil Government. I would hate to think that any new administration would now so soon depart from that very valuable contribution to young people. That money should be provided again in consultation and by agreement with the social partners.
I repeat points I made earlier about CTT and IPC. I would hate to think there would be any watering down or standing back from the progress made during the last Government's term of office in the provision of facilities for young people. We have recently seen riots develop in other cities and we wonder why. Perhaps policies might have contributed to them. It is not for me to say. We have a responsibility to our young people. I hope there will be no backing down by any new administration on commitments I made in that respect.
