Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I agree with the Deputy that it is very important that a structure exists to support the islands.

I agree wholeheartedly with the Deputies that the sooner we get the one-stop shops in place the better. Some of the Deputy's county council colleagues were in Kiltimagh, which is an extremely good example of a one-stop shop. I was very impressed by the range of activities that were being delivered through, in this case, the Kiltimagh community development project. They ranged from early education right through to senior citizens. There was a wide range of activities in the area of computers. I met some young people involved in the Foróige club for example. Active retired people were also there. There is a greater willingness in rural parts or outside the large urban areas for that to happen than there is in large city areas. If necessary, we must continue to encourage and knock heads together. At the end of the day customer service is what matters. The Deputy is right. People expect to be able to get the information they seek in one location rather than going from one office to another. There is no justification for the dispersal of information that has been the practice up to now. The cohesion process will contribute towards that happening.

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