Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. FitzGerald. It is importance to have the leadership, vision and ability to communicate why we are doing something and what we expect the good result to be.

Ms Harvey has consistently referred to this aspect as well, namely, the collaboration that is required to ensure a plan is not seen as being solely that of the Government, the council or the planners, but rather as a town's plan that will bring together all the people and stakeholders involved. That will ensure a plan has more buy-in, which is critically important.

I have a slot for my questions now. Starting with the witnesses from NESC, one of its recommendations detailed earlier concerned the development of large-scale cost-rental schemes serviced by high-frequency, reliable, affordable and comfortable public transport. Regarding that recommendation, does the LDA, as set up, have the power and ability to pull together the land management elements to enable it to have the required influence on transport policy and infrastructure to realise it?