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

I thank the delegates for their presentations and acknowledge the work they do on the various bodies for which they have been given the authority to be members and the impact they have. I have listened attentively to what they stated on the opportunities which may exist in the local government reform process for their role to be enhanced by virtue of their involvement in community enterprise boards. I am conscious of the integration of local development groups in local authorities and that sustainable development should be a linchpin of any mechanisms used by local authorities to encourage development. Every effort should be made to continue to explore the opportunities which exist in the green economy and these should be the foundations under which local development plans and area plans are devised by local government. I will be conscious of the input of the witnesses when it comes to tabling amendments on Committee Stage and will make every effort to accommodate their sentiments in this regard.