Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegation for attending this afternoon. I have a few questions. My first concerns the strengthening of the powers of local government and what is new in this plan. Mr. Conlan mentioned the reference to district councils and I would agree with that. It is important that we keep the name of the body.

In respect of the regional assemblies, does the delegation see any difficulties with including Dublin with the eastern and midlands region because the demographics are so different between the city and the rural counties? Does the delegation foresee any difficulties and was any consideration given to keeping Dublin on its own as a regional assembly? Reference is also made to the oversight of local authority performance by the regional assemblies. How does the delegation see that playing out? Does the delegation think the strategic policy committees have greater potential than they have shown to date in some cases or does it think their role could be enhanced in this new system? Finally, I have a local observation. I am delighted Offaly County Council is the lead authority in waste permitting.