Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

When the Taoiseach and officials from the shared island unit were here, the Taoiseach indicated that he wanted proposals from us as individuals or from the committee. That is the message that has been sent to every local authority. I remember the initial meeting we had with the officials. I was very strong that the corporate knowledge in our local authorities had to be harnessed to work along with the shared island unit. That is actually happening. What was announced last Thursday was funding to local authorities to develop the proposals that can draw down some very substantial funding from the shared island unit so it is going into communities. Local authorities in particular have that great link with local parishes and communities and can translate that into really effective policy. Not alone will it be a policy aspiration, the funding is there to bring these projects to fruition.