Mr. John McCarthy:

I thank the Deputy for his words of welcome. Somewhat like the previous discussion I had with the Chairman about roads, enterprise is now a function of the local government system through the new local enterprise offices, LEOs. Central government responsibility in this regard resides with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. In trying to ensure that policy at national level is effected at local level, it is through that channel - via Enterprise Ireland - that this will work. From experience, I am in a position to state each local authority, as part of the establishment of LEOs in April, has entered into a service level agreement with Enterprise Ireland. What it is that is expected to be delivered is set out in these agreements and it will provide Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation with a mechanism to monitor progress. I do not know what are the specifics of the service level agreements. I am aware, from my background knowledge, that they have been put in place as a way of supporting-----