Mr. Ian Dempsey:

Deputies Fitzmaurice and Ó Cuív touched on fundamentally the same issue, which goes to the heart of the deliberations of the committee, the interaction alignment between local authorities and local development companies. That is the alignment process, but what we should be looking to achieve is that all stakeholders work together towards a common end, using the resources - money and everything - else in the most effective and optimal way possible. That does not happen in my view. I can only offer a personal view - based on 25 years experience - that alignment is badly needed at policy level in Government and in the Departments. The Departments do not talk to each other. The problem is seen at implementation level, where groups are seen as duplicating supports and are tripping over themselves trying to address issues to which Deputy Fitzmaurice has referred to a degree. The alignment at policy and Department level does not work. I have seen very little evidence of it working over the years. All the things that are fundamental to rural Ireland - agriculture, enterprise, community development, energy, communications, etc. - are not aligned. That goes to the heart of many of the issues.

Rural recreation has been mentioned a number of times. Deputy Ó Cuív is due great credit for his work over many years in ministerial office and is a really good example of what happens when one looks at working with all stakeholders in a space. The then Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív recognised the landowner as the key stakeholder in rural recreation and with Comhairle na Tuaithe was able to bring them into the process. A hell of a lot has been achieved off quite minimal amounts of public money to do that and the benefits throughout the country are evident for all to see. Let that be an example of you have to do in order to achieve. Let us see the same thing happen in respect of economic development.

Deputy Fitzmaurice referred to Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. We worked with them and I am sure others have, but one does it because of personal relationships, one can access them or they recognise that your group is valid in that space. That does not happen half enough. So much gets lost for that reason alone.

I will now revert to the questions Deputy Ó Cuív asked at the outset. He asked whether the previous arrangements should be continued? The answer is yes and no. The arrangements should be put in place now for Leader and other schemes to deliver the best possible outcome for the areas in question. If that is the case with what was the previous arrangement, let it be evidence-based, if there is a better way of doing it, let it be evidenced as well. If collaboration is need, let that be the case.