I was outlining the importance of the Western Development Commission and the need for the Minister to put it on a statutory footing, in particular in relation to the five counties in Connacht and in Clare and Donegal. I also referred to the need for social and economic development in the west at this time. This issue is currently in the public domain because of the ongoing debate in regard to Objective One funding and whether such funding should be implemented on a regional basis.
There has been considerable debate on this issue in the media in recent weeks. I wish to point out a number of facts which are of particular relevance to the west. Per capita income as a percentage of GDP in the west is less than the 75 per cent EU average which comprises the requirement for Objective One funding. That indisputable fact was borne out by the ESRI report published last December. Economic and social development has taken place at a far greater pace in the eastern part of the country.