Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the members of the delegation, particularly Councillor Hanniffy, who is a former colleague. Given the delay in the legislation, we are in a vacuum and unable to investigate the minute details, which would answer many of our questions at this stage. I hope that as a result of the Boundary Commission completing its duties at the end of this month, the legislation will follow soon after. We can then have an open and frank debate about the implementation of the aspirations, how they can be tweaked and how we can work together to bring about a successful conclusion by negotiation.

I agree with the concept of the reintegration of these bodies into the local authorities but I am disappointed about their configuration because it will not do what it says on in the tin. As the presentation pointed out, the ownership will not be with those who have democratic accountability and who work on the ground on a regular basis meeting and consulting people seeking jobs and people in industry and business and this has to be addressed. I am of the same mind regarding the local development companies. Their integration back into local authorities will not give autonomy to the elected members. I would rather if that were done by negotiation rather than imposition. The details will be in the legislation to enable us to address those issues.

With regard to the difficulties and failures in the economy regarding local businesses, there may be a role for county enterprise boards in the new configuration to address the current deficiencies. I hope every opportunity will be taken in that regard. I am conscious of the proposed strategic investment bank and the role it might have in providing funding to local enterprise boards to address the gap that exists because of the poor level of banking provision. As Councillor Hanniffy said, they tell us consistently about the millions and billions of euro that are being lent but they equate to nothing but the reconfiguration of existing loans because anybody I meet on a regular basis who is seeking finance and assistance is not being met with the reception that those figures suggest.

A specific audit needs to be carried out, especially in the regions, of the success or failure of various enterprise boards to target areas that have experienced difficulties more recently because the IDA is targeting large urban centres and cities. This is evidenced by site visits statistics in different regions. That is not necessarily of the agency's own doing but as a result of the input of multinational companies setting up in the country. That would allow the specific targeting of regions that are at a disadvantage currently.

I hope adequate time will be allowed for debate, adjudication and assimilation and ultimately for arriving at a successful conclusion with regard to the legislation that is proposed. There ought to be an avenue for a negotiated agreement with all stakeholders at the table in order to account for the efforts of all the elected members, considering that we all share the same wishes and aspirations for those we represent. If there is a means by which there can be an improvement – this might well be one of them – every effort should be made for it to work practically.

There are other aspects of the document about which we could talk all day and on which we will not elaborate. We should examine specifically the area targeted in the councillors' presentation. Many of us are in total agreement in regard to the sort of democratic accountability and responsibility that we would like to see upheld. We agree with the concept but let us get the configuration right so we can all work with it.