Mr. Declan Dunne:

In the previous year I have had nine meetings with the chief executive of the Land Development Agency. Over that period we have both explored how the needs of citizens in this country can be best met: what our role is, what their role is and what is the local authority's role is. That is still evolving. I spoke to the chief executive only yesterday on this subject and there will be future meetings. This is entirely the way things should be done and the way they are going. We have to figure out where our strengths are, where the agency's strengths are, what the role of the local authority is, and then the three of us together figuring out how best to go forward. There is a good relationship and common cause.

Again, the relationship between AHBs and local authorities is extremely positive. There is nothing we could do without the support of local authorities. It is their plans for their counties that determine our role in them. When they decide we have some role to play in them, they invite us to be involved, complementing their own work, and this is the way it should be. We are a relatively small player in terms of the State itself, the role of local authorities and the councillors in that area, which we accept. We are very keen to work in partnership with everybody while all three entities think and are focused on the people - the children, the young people and the families - who depend on them not only for the provision of housing but also thriving communities.