Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I will point to section 43(2)(e) of the Bill. The section relates to an obligation to prepare strategy relating to economic development and subsection (2)(e) requires the strategy to include objectives relating to "identifying the attributes of particular places within the functional area that are essential to enhancing economic performance, including the quality of the environment, cities, towns and rural areas, the physical infrastructure, and the social, community and cultural facilities".

It is referenced there. I appreciate what the Deputy is trying to achieve with this set of amendments but it is provided here. I am not discounting the importance of local structures, particularly the town teams that are being established across the country under the town centre first policy. That is where the activation happens and where a collaborative process of trying to identify certain spaces is involved. I agree wholeheartedly that it is very difficult for organisations but there are probably lots of facilities that could be shared by institutions such as sporting and cultural organisations. We have put on theatrical performances in very unusual spaces in Kilkenny. It is about lateral thinking in collaboration at a local level. What the Deputy is trying to achieve is provided for in this Bill but I see the importance of what he is trying to achieve with the amendments.