Mr. Paul Lemass:

I would argue that having a stronger corporate centre helps. By way of example, the recent local infrastructure housing activation fund, LIHAF, round is a complex process. I am not sure it would be feasible to have a level of expertise to develop applications for LIHAF across 70 or 80 different corporate bodies. However, if one has 31 local authorities, one has a central finance function which should be in a position to make proposals for LIHAF. I am sure some counties are benefitting from LIHAF. One needs a central core strong finance function which is centralised and has the expertise.