Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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I thank the patron bodies for their contributions, which were very practical and enjoyable. We are having this meeting in the context of a difficult budgetary situation that has occurred over recent years and that is likely to continue. By and large, while every group referred to that fact and to the reductions in funding, they all remained positive and tried to come up with solutions. The challenge for the patron bodies is to continue the work they are doing to come up with ideas. There was common ground and there were some differences, so it is important we share ideas. For us as legislators, particularly on the Government side, we must rise to the challenge issued by the groups to come up with solutions to the VAT issues and energy challenges outlined by Mr. Campbell, the timing of grants and local authority charges. Those are all challenges we will take on board.