Mr. Pat Macken:

I agree. When we were devising our sustainable development strategy, Our Sustainable Future, we were conscious that it was not just about a top-down approach; it has to be a bottom-up approach. We have to have engagement at local level through various initiatives. I was struck by a few aspects when we were developing the green economy document. The Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation brought out a document, Developing our Green Potential, but in compiling it it consulted other Departments, as we normally do. We met many of the non-governmental organisations involved and asked them how we might create jobs. People are actively engaged on the ground on the issue of how to create opportunities locally, whether it be in the area of biodiversity or natural habitats, to talk about our own sectors - I am sure the same applies to others - through engagement. The local authorities' reform structures are meant to facilitate and pull all of this together. Some interesting things were in done in Fingal, for example. Interesting work was also done in Roscommon. We see it as people being able to make a contribution. The idea of sustainable development is about ensuring well-being, in other words, ensuring people are in a clean environment that meets good standards and that they have a decent life and engage and reach their potential. It is a broad concept in that respect and, therefore, requires actions across every sector of society. It is a dynamic scene. We have met many of the people and communities involved and try to support them. We also provide some funding for them.