Ms Fiona O'Loughlin:

I thank Deputy Bernard J. Durkan and Senator Catherine Noone for their positive remarks on the presentation from the Committee of the Regions. I also thank my colleagues, Mr. Conway and Mr. Crowley, for their work on it. I agree with Deputy Bernard J. Durkan on the need to balance the issues and challenges we face. Being public representatives in County Kildare, we know well about the long housing lists which run to almost 10,000 people and the difficulties with housing and renting.

Senator Catherine Noone asked about the need to ensure better engagement with European institutions. This meeting is the first step. The Chairman, when he spoke at one our meetings last year, gave a commitment that our delegation could meet the committee. This was useful and helpful. It is a significant commitment from the committee to engage with us on an ongoing basis.

With next year’s review of the economic and spatial strategy, there will be an opportunity to realign several processes to ensure a balance in regional development and growth. In meetings with some local authority managers we noted that there was a lack of engagement at that level too. Measures need to be taken to ensure local authority managers are included in the process. There is meant to be a European officer in every local authority, but we have found that is not the case.