Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 23 November 2016

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

Local Economic and Community Plans: Discussion

10:00 am

Mr. Pat Dowling:

On what Deputy Casey was saying, there are emerging structural issues. We are hearing that loud and clear. There are other operational issues we need to bear in mind as a result of the discussion today and to put into the mix as regards the rolling out of the structures. As I said before, time will tell. We need to ensure we do not over-complicate this. People were used to the bureaucracy that existed. We have introduced a new one and we have to make sure it is as effective and efficient as possible. I still believe strongly, however, that, in time, all the groups will come together to have one integrated plan for the one county or city. I hope I am proven right. This is the principal merit and we hope it will operate.