Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the committee, I thank the president of the Committee of the Regions, Mr. Tzitzikostas, as well as Mr. Murphy and Ms Feeney. Today was much more than just a conversation. It was more than politicians telling one and other how great a job they are doing. A number of challenges came from both sides and that is healthy and refreshing.

We will follow up on the matter raised about the sitting of the committee. We always meet in the committee rooms. Formally, we have to meet in the precincts of Leinster House but we may have a conversation in private session about visiting Tipperary, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown or Sligo. Maybe Councillor Blaney will have us in Donegal with his big connections up there. We will leave that decision to the delegates. Members of the committee would be happy to meet them formally or informally. That would be very refreshing.

I acknowledge the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Alison Gilliland, and all the councillors from the different regions in the Public Gallery, including Councillor Pip Breen for his intervention. There was no shyness from the Wexford man intervening from the Gallery. Ar son an choiste, guím gach rath ar na finnéithe leis an obair thábhachtach seo. Gabhaim buíochas leo as díospóireacht an lae inniu agus as an obair atá déanta acu fosta. Beidh an todhchaí níos difriúla ach beimid le chéile ag obair, agus táimid anseo fá choinne thacaíochta amach anseo fosta.