Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I accept the point the Deputy makes. In the debate last night in the House which was started by Deputy Mattie McGrath we discussed this and its importance. In that case I cited my town as different. In my case we have a municipal area that covers the town and it is in a very strong position. That is something I would encourage people to examine, but it is not a matter for today's discussion. It is important that all the local councillors and decision makers are involved in implementing these plans. Its success requires that they buy into it and make it happen.

There were other questions and I am anxious to answer them. Niall Cussen will talk about the smart growth fund. Again, it is about trying to target investment into neglected areas of cities, towns and villages where one can invest cleverly to rejuvenate and re-energise them and bring investment back into them.

On the land development agency, if we are going to achieve what we seek here many of us strongly believe that to be in charge one must be in control of some of the land and certainly have a direct link to it. A land development agency would be key to being able to achieve the ambition here. Local authorities are only in control when they have assets and land and when they have a say about the land. It is too late if one leaves it to somebody else outside the local government decision making process.