Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Chair made a reference to, and I saw the officials nod their heads and say that they agree with, deleting the four words when Mr. Hogan talked about the ten-year county development plan. One of the major changes is moving the plan from a five to ten years. Broadly speaking, there seems to be an acceptance for that now having teased out the matter when we had the various representatives before the committee from the various county council bodies. Emphasis was placed on the meaningful five-year mid-term review. We need to be very clear about the role and functions, and this issue has been touched on by Ms Mulhern. The chief executive will bring a report but that is not enough. I would like to think, for which I seek assurances, that the councillors will have the opportunity to accept, reject or amend the chief executive's report. They are compromising a hell of a lot now to opt for a ten-year plan. We are talking about meaningful engagement with local authorities, which have a mandate, as these are democratically-elected representatives of the community. I would like the witnesses to tease out this matter.

On the deletion of the few words, Ms Jones mentioned leaving a little discretion for councillors but I want more than a little discretion reserved for them. I am not in favour of deleting anything until I see the impact of doing so. I want this matter noted and I have marked it off my list. I would like this matter teased out as I want to be concise because I have a few other questions for the witnesses. I seek clarity on the role, function and reserved functions of the elected members in terms of the five-year review.