Ms Eileen Mannion:

The regions operate in the context of the national planning framework, so we have to be a vehicle through which the national policy is driven. For example, the Northern and Western Regional Assembly must deliver on the MATS for Galway.

We have to maintain the three regions because we cannot look at things in isolation. With regard to boundaries, we have worked on the western rail corridor from Athenry to Claremorris, covering two counties, and also the link from Collooney to Sligo, which is in another county. It is important that the regional assemblies look at the bigger picture rather than just looking at things in isolation with the local authorities.

Several speakers referred to people not knowing about the regional assemblies. I have been 16 years a councillor and just one year on the regional assembly. To my shame, I really was not aware of the work of the regional assemblies, although they are doing great work. Mr. McGuinness suggested that it should be on the local authority agenda to have monthly meetings to report on this. It is a great idea. I am sure many other councillors who are not on the assembly are not aware of the great work that is going on there. It is important, in order to let people know the importance of the work that is going on, to have it on the agenda. We should include councillors, perhaps by inviting them to a meeting once a year so they know what is going on.