Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Moran and thank him for his presentation. In what ways can the Government help? I asked Mr. Fielding a question about LEOs in local authorities. Will councils' executives take a more targeted approach to business development and job creation, given the fact that they will now have the remit for same? Will the municipal districts encompassing a number of large towns and their hinterlands and the elected chairs of same create an extra focus on this matter?

In terms of reviving town centres, Mr. Moran mentioned painting shops. Simple initiatives like Tidy Towns do a great deal of good work and are funded through the local councils and so on. Most towns worth their salt would have this type of voluntary element improving their aesthetics. Surely additional help is not required.