Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am conscious that a Seanad vote is due and I may have to leave. I want to ask a question while I am here. The Chairman mentioned that the committee will consider following up on much of the evidence presented today. I would like to make a formal proposal to the committee, which I ask the witnesses to assist us with. My formal proposal is that we, as members of a joint Oireachtas committee, would compile a formal report on supporting community and social enterprise in rural areas nationally. I ask that we would have a deep engagement not only with our witnesses today but also with other collaborators and stakeholders who can assist us. I am formally proposing that to the Chairman. I ask members to support us on that and we might be able to agree on a rapporteur. I raise it now to ask if our witnesses would collaborate, help and inform us on doing that report. It is timely now to prepare for future rural development programmes.